Dental crowns are a restorative dental procedure designed to repair natural teeth and return the mouth to its original function and aesthetic. The crown itself is a "cap" that’s placed right over a tooth – it’s designed to cover the tooth and essentially restores its size and shape. It also serves to provide some structural strength and will naturally improve the tooth’s aesthetic appearance.
Dental crowns are required in a variety of situations, including the following:
After careful examination and appropriate diagnosis, Dr. Diamond and his associates will recommend the best approach to treatment. For the patient, it’s key to understand the procedure and to work collaboratively with the dentist to ensure a good outcome, especially when it comes to post-operative care and protection.
As a restorative procedure, dental crowns serve to restore a tooth and further protect it. Indeed, a tooth that has been properly repaired with a dental crown will look, feel and function just like a natural tooth. With today’s advanced technologies, the procedure is straightforward:
When the final crown is ready, the dentist removes the temporary crown, cements the custom-made crown in place and ensures a perfect fit. The idea is to replicate the shape, colouring and bite of a natural tooth. Under professional supervision, a patient can be assured of the highest standard of dental care.
Today, with high-tech advances, dental crowns may be fabricated from various materials. Dr. Diamond and his associates can recommend the best approach based on the patient’s condition. Each material has advantages and disadvantages, but different materials are used in different cases. For example, dental crowns that are affixed to the back teeth will require a different material than some of the front teeth because back teeth are often subjected to stronger bite forces than those in the front. Crowns on back teeth are usually made of porcelain with metal as a base for added strength. Almost always, the metal portion is not visible. Crowns on front teeth are usually made of more aesthetic-looking porcelains, often without any metal at all. Today's metal-free crowns are much more lifelike and natural looking than they were a generation ago.
While dental crowns are durable enough to last for many years, there’s no substitute for personal dental care. Regular and ongoing care will ensure longevity, and brushing and flossing will aid in overall oral health. Indeed, crowns should be cleaned, brushed and flossed just like natural teeth, but it is still wise to take extra care when biting, chewing and even grinding.
