Crowns
Crowns, commonly called "caps" are restorations placed over natural teeth to restore ones that have been altered in their shape, size or just to improve appearance. They are also used when a normal composite filling isn´t sufficient enough to restore a tooth. This gives strength and function to decayed teeth and at the same time provides a very cosmetic look.
A crown may be needed in different cases such as:
- To protect weak teeth
- To restore fractured teeth
- To cover up birth defects, color irregularities and asymmetry
- Also as support for dental bridges when teeth are missing
Timetable for a crown treatment:
Normally it can take 1 - 4 visits to complete a treatment; it all depends on the complexity of the treatment plan.
During the first visit, a medical history chart is evaluated, then a dental clinical examination is done and X-rays are taken. A treatment plan is set out and discussed with the patient. Once it is approved, the treatment is started.
Often on the first remedial appointment, crown preparations are done with our advanced technology software of Cad-Cam, so there is no need to do temporaries because the dental lab work can be completed the same day! With just one appointment you can get your teeth prepared, scanned, cemented and ready to go.
If the case is very extensive, it may require 2 - 3 appointments for preparations, then the temporaries are fabricated, and impressions may be taken that same day.
Then, on the second appointment, everything is fitted in correctly, and normally cemented in.
A third appointment is sometimes necessary to do a normal check up, adjust night guards and can also be used as time to place last details. This all depends on the number of crowns / inlays or bridges that are required in an extensive reconstruction. If the treatment is extensive, then the crown preparation appointment (first appointment) might be divided in two appointments.
Types of materials for crowns available:
Porcelain fused to metal: This type of crowns have a thin cap of semi precious metal on the inside and are covered on the outside with porcelain. Porcelain fused to metal crowns can be adjusted to different colors and shapes since it is customized to the patient. Due to their strength they are ideally used in posterior teeth.
Full Porcelain: Commonly used for anterior and premolar teeth. They are made out of feldespatic porcelain which is highly used around the world. These type of crowns are very aesthetic and due to their transparency, form and material, they can give high cosmetic results.
Zirconium: Fairly new enhanced type of crowns. Zirconia is a very resistant material with similar characteristics to porcelain. Very aesthetic, ideal for all patients, mostly for ones that would like to recover height in their smile, where there has been damage from teeth grinding during the day or night.