Eyes & Smiles - Expert 5* Dentist in Friern Barnet N11

Why might I need a crown?
There are a number of reasons which your dentist at the Eyes & Smiles New Southgate Clinic will check through with you. For instance:

• the tooth may have been weakened by having a very large filling
  
• you may have discoloured fillings and would like to improve the appearance of the tooth
  
• you may have had a root filling which will need a crown to protect and seal it
  
• you may have had an accident and damaged the tooth
  
• it may help hold a bridge or denture firmly in place.
  

What are crowns made of?
Crowns are made of a variety of materials and new materials are being introduced all the time. Here are some of the options available at present at Eyes & Smiles Friern Barnet N11:

• Glass (Lithium Disilicate/ Emax): these crowns look very natural and are used on both front and back teeth.
  
• Zirconia: a very strong material which can be used really effectively if your tooth has significantly broken down beyond the gum level
  
• Porcelain bonded to metal: this is what a lot of crowns are made from. A metal base is made and layers of porcelain are then applied over it.
  
• Porcelain: these are metal free crowns which have great strength and aesthetics
  
• Precious metal (gold and palladium): these crowns are very strong, hard-wearing, but are not usually used at the front of the mouth, where they are highly visible. They are the best material to use but are not aesthetic due to the colour.
  

How is a tooth prepared for a crown?
Your Eyes & Smiles Finchley Dentist will prepare the tooth to the ideal shape for the crown. This will mean reshaping the outer surface to a specific dimension. The amount of the tooth reshaped will be the same as the thickness needed for the crown which is to be fitted.
Once shaped, your dentist will take an impression of the prepared tooth, one of the opposite jaw and possibly another to mark the way you bite together. The impressions will be given to the technician, along with any other information they need to make the crown.

Who makes the crown?
The impressions and information about the shade of your teeth will be given to a dental technician who will be skilled in your bespoke crown. They will make models of your mouth and make the crown on these to be sure that the crown fits perfectly. The crown will then be fitted by your dentist in Southgate Eyes & Smiles Dental Clinic.

Will the crown be noticeable?
No. When opting for a tooth-coloured crown, it will be matched as close as possible to your other teeth. During your tooth prepping appointment your Eyes & Smiles Southgate dentist will have recorded the shade(s) of teeth so that the final work comes back to you looking natural.

Will need a temporary crown?
A temporary crown, usually made in plastic at the prepping appointment at Eyes & Smiles N11 to get you through until the definitive one is ready. These temporaries can still look quite close to the intended colour.

How long does the treatment take?
You will need to have at least two visits to construct and fit crowns at Eyes & Smiles Dental in Arnos Grove: the first for the tooth reshaping along with impression and shade checking, and the second to fit the definitive crown.

Does it hurt to have a tooth prepared for a crown?
No. Your dentist at Eyes & Smiles Clinic North London will use a local anaesthetic in the same way as if you were to have a filling for example. At Eyes & Smiles Dental Clinic we can also provide numbing gel to use before any needles, to make your visit more comfortable.

How long will a crown last?
The life of a crown will depend on how well it is looked after and the condition of the tooth underneath. Your dentist providing crowns at Eyes & Smiles Dental Clinic Arnos Grove will provide you with all suitable options to ensure you can choose the best and most long lasting durable crown. The crown itself cannot decay, but decay can start where the edge of the crown joins the tooth. It is very important to keep this area as clean as your other teeth, or decay could endanger the crown. Properly cared for crowns will last for many years and could save a tooth which otherwise needed to come out.

How are crowns fixed to teeth?
At Eyes & Smiles Dental Clinic East Barnet, once the fit and appearance of the crown has been checked - and approved by you - it will be cemented in place with special dental cement. The cement also forms a seal to help hold it firmly in place.

Are there any risks to having a crown?
Risks with dental treatment are minimised by following clinical protocols. If the tooth has been really compromised the nerve may die and need root canal treatment. If cleaning around the crown is not maintained then gum disease and decay can occur under a crown. Your dentist will inform you of all the relevant risks and benefits of having dental crowns before you go ahead with any treatment to you can be assured you have selected the best treatment option for your broke down or weakened tooth.