Don’t be embarrassed by your chipped, worn down, heavily patched up or damaged teeth any longer
Extreme Dentistry can repair and restore your smile and function again.
What is a dental crown?
A crown is a laboratory fabricated cover or a cap. It’s created to fit over an existing tooth. It replaces the whole roof of the tooth so that the underlying portion can be held together tightly enough so that nothing breaks.
A crown can increase the strength of a weakened tooth to surpass that of the original natural tooth.
A dental crown may be recommended for the following scenarios:
- Badly broken down, cracked or worn down teeth
- Fixing up the tooth after having had a root canal treatment done
- Badly discoloured teeth which don’t respond to whitening
- Help stabilize and retain strength
There are many types of crowns available at Extreme Dentistry. The type of crown will be dictated by the clinical situation and your preference after discussion with Dr Anand.
What is a dental crown procedure?
The dental crown procedure generally happens over a few appointments in our Darwin practice. Our aim is to achieve a natural look when using crowns, to blend seamlessly with the surrounding teeth.
The steps of a dental crown procedure include:
- We assess and match the shade of your other natural teeth
- Prepare the natural tooth by reducing the side slightly so the crown can fit perfectly on top
- We take a mould of the prepared tooth
- We create, and fit a temporary crown on the spot
- We then send the crown mould to a specialised laboratory for the crown to be created
After the permanent crown is ready, we schedule you an appointment and the temporary crown is swapped with the permanent crown. The permanent crown is then cemented into place permanently
What is a dental bridge?
A bridge allows the dentist to replace missing teeth, without the use of dental implants. A dental bridge is ideal for patients who have two missing teeth side by side.
A false tooth is fused between two porcelain crowns to fill in the area left by a missing tooth. The two crowns that hold it in place are attached onto your teeth on each side of the missing tooth. This is a fixed bridge, which means you won’t be taking it out to wash and clean like you do with your dentures.
What are the benefits of a dental bridge?
Dental bridges not only improve the aesthetics of your smile they also have health benefits. Missing teeth can cause an array of issues including trouble speaking and eating.
Some of the benefits of dental bridges are:
- They can restore the aesthetics of your smile
- Improve your ability to chew and speak
- Distribute the force in your bite correctly
- Maintain the shape of your face
- They prevent remaining teeth from moving around your mouth
Dental crowns and bridges in Darwin
Enjoy the longevity of your crowns and bridges by brushing and flossing twice daily. Pair that with eating a balanced diet and visiting Extreme Dentistry every six months for dental check-ups and cleans.
For more information on which of these treatments is right for you, call us today on (08) 8948 1225 to arrange a consultation.
FAQs
To either restore a broken tooth or replace a missing tooth.
Crown – there comes a time when a tooth may have disintegrated or broken beyond a point which a simple filling may not suffice or when a filling may not be strong enough to hold the tooth together. At that stage often a crown is deemed the best way forward to improve the longevity and functional strength of the tooth failing that, the tooth remains at risk of further deterioration and premature loss through total breakdown and extraction.
Bridge – A bridge was the best way of replacing a/multiple missing teeth a generation ago previous to dental implants. Bridges were made to fit over existing teeth and they were made to hold up missing dummy teeth, to fill in the spaces. Today there are better less invasive means of replacing missing teeth by way of dental implants.
Crown – can be fitted in a day if we are making it in house, the appointment would last around two hours, we scan the tooth, prepare the tooth and then mill the crown. The crown takes around 20 minutes mill and prepare, the patient can have a little break while this is taking place. You will then be asked to come back into surgery for the crown to be fitted. If the crown is sent to a lab to be made, it will take 3-4 weeks in total. The impressions would be sent to the lab then another appointment would be made to fit the definitive crown. In the meantime, the patient will have a temporary crown.
Bridge – 3-4 weeks, 3 appointments would be needed. Exam, preparation, and fitting.
Studies have shown 80% of crowns and bridges are still in function at 10 year mark.
A crown is used to repair a badly broken/cracked tooth and a bridge is used when a tooth is completely missing. A crown is a single unit/tooth coverage whilst a bridge often improves two or more teeth joined together with missing tooth at a minimum.
A crown will solve the problem of fixing a tooth back to its original form, function, and looks which otherwise cannot be achieved with a filling. Also increases the life span of the tooth. A bridge will solve the need to replace a missing tooth without the need for a plate that otherwise needs to be removed cleaned and put back in every day. The bridge is usually fixed so you don’t have a plate covering the roof of the mouth.
Yes, dental crowns are designed to be permanent dental restorations. Unlike dentures that can be removed and cleaned daily, dental crowns are cemented over a natural tooth or a dental implant. They can only be removed by a dentist.
The only time a patient will receive a temporary crown is when they are waiting for their permanent crown to be manufactured.
Dr Anand may indorse a dental crown procedure for several reasons:
- You have a weak, damaged or decayed tooth
- You require a bridge to be fitted
- You have a tooth that is extremely discoloured
- You want to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your smile
Generally, dental crown procedures take two appointments to complete. During the first appointment, your dentist will prepare the tooth, take an impression, and send it to the lab where the crown is made. Your dentist will fit a temporary crown whilst you wait for the crown to be made. During the second appointment, the permanent crown is fitted.
It is normal to feel some sensitivity and soreness in the gums around the tooth. However, it is very slight and should go away in no time.
Yes, it can. Crowns are just coverings and will not protect the remaining tooth from decay, especially if you do not practice good oral hygiene. If you allow plaque and tartar to accumulate between the gum and tooth, it will eventually cause gum disease which can spread to the tooth and cause decay. Practicing proper oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly for thorough cleanings will help prevent this from happening
Unfortunately dental crowns cannot be whitened. Porcelain dental crowns are made from a dense, non-porous material resistant to staining. This means, they are also resistant to whitening treatments.
Traditional whitening treatments aren’t effective on porcelain restorations or most bonding materials. Meaning it’s practically impossible to whiten crowns, bridges or veneers once they are in place.
Dr Anand can make the porcelain crowns the same colour as your natural teeth or few shades whiter. By making the dental crown lighter than your natural teeth you can whiten your natural teeth to match. You can then be sure the porcelain dental crowns will preserve their brilliant white colour, indefinitely.
Dental bridges can be made from porcelain, ceramic, or metal alloys such as titanium.
Fitting dental bridges usually takes place over two appointments. During the first appointment, adjacent teeth are reduced and an impression made. During your second appointment, your restoration will be put in place.
Titanium is welded directly in the mouth making a frame. Bridges can be placed over this frame on the same day.
$1685-$2500
Studies have shown 80% of crowns and bridges are still in function at 10 year mark.