Dental Crowns
Prevent damaged teeth from breaks and decay.
With Richmond Fine Dentistry, Melbourne has a dentist it can trust for professional and high quality dental crowns.
How will a dental crown help my teeth?
When significant amounts of coronal tooth structure are lost due to dental decay or trauma such as a large chip or break, a crown is often the best way to save a tooth and strengthen it. A crown (also known as a cap) fits over the existing natural tooth and replaces the natural crown, the part of the tooth seen above the gums.
Do I need a dental cap or dental crown?
There may be times when a tooth has succumbed to decay, has needed to undergo root canal therapy or has sustained damage through an accident. A dental crown will strengthen and restore your tooth to its former function and appearance. Before fitting a crown, we will assess your dental and medical history, take x-ray examinations of your teeth and jaws, and conduct an oral examination. Appointment times will vary especially in the event that a tooth may need a root canal filling and perhaps a post, before crown or bridge treatment.
Why do missing teeth need to be replaced?
- To improve your appearance (especially with front teeth)
- To prevent stresses causing damage to other teeth
- To prevent the teeth near the gap shifting
- To maintain the natural bite
- To improve chewing ability and keep you chewing food well into old age.
What are dental crowns made of?
Dental crowns are designed to envelop the damaged tooth to strengthen, protect improve appearance. They can be made from either high quality porcelain or porcelain over metal (usually gold alloy) when additional strength is required. Porcelain is used for its strength and tooth-like appearance. It is stain resistant and can be colour-matched for a seamless integration with your surrounding natural teeth.
Gold alloy is strong, hard and durable. Both porcelain and gold alloy are well tolerated by gum and cheek tissue, and allergic reactions are rare.
Dental crowns with CEREC Technology
To ensure your new tooth is comfortable and functional, careful preparation is required. If decay has caused the need for a crown, the first step will involve its complete removal before your tooth is coated with the reflective powder, which enables the computer to create your tooth’s 3D image to be seen on the monitor and sculpted by our CEREC machine. Milling of your new crown will only take approximately 10 minutes.
When your crown is complete, we will check it for comfort and alignment with your surrounding teeth before permanently bonding it to your prepared tooth with specially developed dental cement. This amazing technology allows you to receive your crown in a convenient single appointment and leave our office with a beautiful full smile. The latest CEREC upgrade digitally reads the teeth on either side of the tooth to be restored and the opposing tooth in upper or lower arch – it’s amazing technology.
One of the most utilised and advanced pieces of dental technology within our practice is our CEREC machine. CEREC ceramic restorations are an ideal way to replace amalgam fillings. They are strong because the bonding system used supports the tooth, helping to prevent cracked tooth syndrome. they look fantastic and are superior to using composite (white) filling material. These restorations can be done in one visit, and are made in-house with our CEREC system from Germany. It is very impressive technology and Dr Harper has just purchased the latest upgrade with even more features.
Dr Harper has been using CEREC for 17 years and was one of the early adoptors of this amazing technology. We always have the latest software and machines. Crowns are made on site and glazed in our oven to perfectly match your other teeth.
How long do dental crowns and bridges last?
Dental crowns and bridges should last for many years; however there is no lifetime guarantee. As with natural teeth, it depends on good dental hygiene and oral health. Therefore, regular dental check ups are advisable. Dental crowns require flossing and brushing, with extra attention around the margins where decay is more likely. Special devices include floss threaders and “superfloss” is available for cleaning under the bridge.
Inlays and Onlays
Becoming the most popular and effective restorative procedures for back teeth with minor to moderate decay is an inlay or onlay. Not only are they a functional and strong option, but they are crafted from high quality porcelain, creating a more natural looking smile.
One of the main advantages of choosing an inlay or onlay is they require only a small amount of natural tooth structure to be removed, making them a more conservative option than a full crown, which is utilised when there is only minimal remaining tooth structure.
An inlay is a smaller restoration treatment placed within the cusps (bumps) of the chewing surface of your back teeth, where as an onlay is used to restore a larger surface area and may cover one or more tooth cusps.
Having your inlay or onlay placed by Richmond Fine Dentistry can be completed in a single appointment visit utilising our CEREC technology. Firstly, the area surrounding your tooth is numbed with a local anaesthetic so you are completely comfortable and relaxed before the decay is meticulously removed and your tooth cleaned.
Because inlays or inlays have a precise fit to your tooth, they have a stronger bond with your natural tooth enamel than an amalgam filling. This also significantly reduces the possibility of decay forming where the tooth and inlay or onlay restoration meets. Your inlay or onlay is checked that it aligns perfectly with your surrounding and opposing teeth, prior to being securely bonded with specially formulated dental adhesive and polished to a natural looking finish.
How long will an inlay or an onlay tooth restoration last?
The long-term success and duration of your new inlay or onlay will depend on your at home oral care routine and attending regular checkup and cleaning appointments with the Richmond Fine Dentistry dental team. When cared for correctly your new restorations can last ten years or more.
Click here to contact us today for more information or to book an appointment for your dental crowns, Melbourne.
Frequently asked questions
No, getting a dental crown is not painful as your dentist will give you a local anaesthetic to numb the area.
It may be uncomfortable to sit in the chair with your mouth open during treatment, but you can put your hand up for a break at any time.
Yes. A dental crown can greatly improve the strength, health, and appearance of your natural tooth. It is a good solution for several issues, so be sure to discuss getting a crown with your dentist.
They may be able to offer alternative solutions such as dental veneers, or explain why a crown is the best option for your needs.
A dental crown varies depending on factors such as the material, how many crowns you’re getting, and the extent of work required to install the crown. Please get in touch with our friendly team for more information.
Getting a dental crown is a common and highly safe procedure. The most common side effects are tenderness around the site following each procedure, which will go away in a day or so and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication in the meantime.
It is also possible to experience discomfort when the anaesthesia wears off. In this case, you will need to visit your dentist as soon as possible, as the crown may need to be better shaped to your tooth. This is not a common side effect but is something to be aware of.
Over time, your dental crown may chip, break, or even come off. This is not common but can happen due to wear and tear, and can largely be avoided with good care. Should this occur, your dentist will either fix and reattach the crown or have a new one made.
Dental crowns are a permanent solution, but they can wear down over time. Typically, crowns will last in the decades, for at least 20 years before showing signs of wear and tear.
Should your crown fail, it is a simple matter of having it replaced with a new one.
Good care, including good dental hygiene habits and avoiding hard sweets or biting hard materials, will help your dental crown to last as long as possible.