What is a Dental Crown?

Dental crowns can be made from a variety of different dental materials and are used for many different reasons:

  •         To cover a broken, worn, decayed or root canaled tooth to protect the tooth from any further breakage.
  •         To recontour teeth to help with food trapping.
  •         To cover stained or badly shaped teeth for aesthetics.
  •         To help support a dental bridge or a denture.

 

A dental crown is placed over your existing tooth and is generally made in a lab where it is custom fit for you! Dental crowns are made to match the existing shade of your teeth or they can be brightened if they are inserted for aesthetic purposes and only if you choose. Some patients for example, may have dental crowns placed along their top front teeth and may prefer their crowns to be brighter to give a whiter look.

 

How long do Dental Crowns last?

Because of the material we use, dental crowns made of porcelain are much stronger than dental fillings made from white plastic- also known as composite resin.  Crowns are also custom made to fit onto your existing tooth- kind of like a lock and key, so they are generally much more durable and longer lasting. Crowns can last for many years, and with good oral hygiene technique, it only helps to keep the crown healthier for longer!

 

What is the process for having a Dental Crown?

Before we place any restorations in your mouth, we require patients to come in for a complete dental exam. At this time, we will discuss any concerns you may have, in addition to checking for any areas in your mouth that may be of concern. Your dentist may also require x-rays to examine areas in your mouth that they cannot see clinically as this allows for a complete oral health diagnosis.

If you are told that you require a crown, your dentist will go over the process with you at the exam appointment and you will then schedule yourself another appointment to begin the process. To make a crown for a patient, generally two appointments are needed. The first appointment is a 60-90 minute appointment and involves prepping the tooth that is to be crowned. This includes removing a layer of tooth to allow room for the dental crown, taking impressions of the teeth and then inserting a temporary crown until the permanent crown is made in the dental lab.

At the second appointment, your permanent dental crown is inserted and checked for fit, aesthetics and function. This appointment is much shorter as it only lasts around 30 minutes.

Depending on the condition of your teeth and gums, your dentist may recommend an appointment with our hygiene team prior to your crown being placed as it is critical to ensure that your gums and teeth are in a healthy condition before proceeding. This is to ensure we get an ideal, healthy result with your crown.

 

Digital Smile Design and Crowns

For any patient that requires crowns on their front teeth, or who is interested in having their aesthetics changed on their front teeth – may also be eligible to go through the Digital Smile Design Experience! Digital Smile Design is a treatment planning concept that originated in Brazil by Dr. Christian Coachman. It involves the use of digital photos and technology to plan and design dental work that may change the appearance of a patient’s smile and then allow patients to see what their new smile results will look like before any work is actually started.

Because patients are able to see what their results would look like in advance, DSD allows for patients to have a say in their treatment prior to treatment beginning. For example, a patient may love the look, or they may want a brighter smile- together, we can create a look that our patients are happy with! One of the best parts of DSD is the accuracy of the finished product- With the combination of photos, dental moulds and our DSD technology, we are able to produce simulated results that look nearly identical to when the treatment is finished!

 

Some important notes about Dental Crowns:

  •         Although dental crowns can improve the aesthetics and function of your teeth, it is important to note that dental crowns cannot be whitened once they are inserted. Because of this, some patients choose to whiten their teeth prior to having their dental crown so the crown can be matched with the new brighter shade of the patient’s teeth.
  •         Crowns are also only recommended if absolutely needed as they do require a layer of your tooth to be permanently removed to allow for the crown to fit over top.
  •         Despite crowns covering your existing teeth, it doesn’t mean that they do not require any further oral hygiene care. You still need to ensure you are brushing and flossing your crowns to keep the tooth underneath healthy and the surrounding gum healthy. This prevents dental decay and periodontal disease. Our team at Bond St will go over how to maintain your crowns during your first appointment.

 

How much do Dental Crowns cost?

At Bond St, we generally only work with porcelain material as it gives the best match with your other teeth by not showing any metal. Prices are set around $2200 per tooth which includes the two appointments involved and the cost of the lab making the crown.

 

Are there any alternatives to Dental Crowns?

Fillings and dental veneers are just some of the alternatives to dental crowns. We recommend a full dental exam with your dentist to discuss which option is right for you!

 

Come See Us!

The team at Bond St are experts when it comes to crowns and cosmetic dentistry. Book in for your appointment today!