Crowns

A crown is a strong and long-lasting way of restoring a tooth that has broken or been weakened by decay or a large filling.

A crown may also be known as a “cap”. It fits over the remaining parts of the tooth, strengthening it and giving it the shape and contour of a natural tooth.

Crowns can be crafted from porcelain, gold, or porcelain bonded to precious metal or ceramic. Your dentist will explain the differences and advise you on which type of crown material is most appropriate for you, depending on your individual requirements for strength and aesthetics.

Do I need a crown?

There are a number of reasons your dentist might recommend crowning one or more of your teeth:

• A tooth may have been weakened by a large filling.
• A filling may have discoloured the tooth.
• A root filling may need a crown to protect it.
• You may have had an accident and damaged the tooth.
• Your tooth may have been fractured.
• You wish to improve the appearance of your smile.

What is the procedure for a crown?

During your first appointment, your dentist will shape the strong parts of the tooth in preparation for the new crown. If the tooth is very broken, it may be necessary to build up the tooth core with a strong filling material.  An impression is then taken and sent to our dental technician. They will make your crown, carefully matching the colour to your other teeth.

We will make and fit a temporary crown to protect your tooth until your next appointment.  When you come back to the practice, your dentist will replace the temporary crown with the permanent one. Having been adjusted for fit, appearance and bite, your new crown will be properly cemented onto the tooth.

At Charlbury Dental Practice we are also able to offer Ceramic Tooth Reconstruction by 3D scanning.  Ceramic Tooth Reconstruction uses the latest technology to fabricate a bonded porcelain insert. Fitting precisely to your damaged tooth, this procedure enables us to preserve more of your original tooth.

How long will a crown last?

The lifetime of a dental crown depends on a number of different factors:

• The strength of the remaining tooth.
• How heavy your bite is.
• Your daily oral health regime.
• A healthy diet that limits the amount of sugary foods and drinks.

If all these factors are favourable, a crown can potentially last for many years.