DENTAL CROWNS & TOOTH CAPS
Crowns are also known as “caps”. They fit over or “cap” the existing tooth, covering everything you see above the gum.
It is used to conceal a large filling, rebuild broken or fractured tooth, protect tooth with root canal or for cosmetic dental purposes.
It is also used as a restoration over a dental implant to replace a missing tooth.
Restoring Damaged Teeth
Crowns are also known as “caps”. They fit over or “cap” the existing tooth, covering everything that is seen above the gum line, offering either protection or cosmetic enhancement. Crowning teeth is typically done on chipped or damaged teeth, or on patients who wish to aesthetically improve their smile, by restoring a tooth’s or multiple teeth’s shapes, size, strength and appearance.
Who benefits from crowning teeth?
Dental crowns can be used for many reasons, including:
- Restoring a chipped, cracked or worn down tooth
- Replacing a missing tooth
- Protecting a weak tooth, such as a tooth with a root canal
- Supporting a dental bridge
- Concealing a large filling
- Restoration over a dental implant
- Cosmetic dental purposes, like covering misshaped or discoloured teeth
What are available dental crown options?
A dental crown or permanent tooth cap can be made of metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, raisin or ceramic, suiting anyone’s needs and budget.
Metal crowns tend to last the longest, rarely chipping or breaking, causing minimum wear to other teeth. Because of their colour, these crowns are best used for molars.
Porcelain-fused- to-metal crowns can be colour matched to the natural tooth. However, there is a higher chance of them chipping or breaking as oppose to all-metal crowns.
All Resin crowns are the most affordable option, but their wear and tear, as well as the risk of fractures, is higher as those of other crown materials.
All Ceramic or all porcelain crowns provide the best natural colour match and are stronger than resin crowns, but not as strong as metal or porcelain-fused- to-metal crowns. They are a good choice for front teeth.
Temporary crowns, made of acrylic or stainless steel, can be done at a dental practice whereas permanent crowns are made in a dental laboratory. As the name suggests, temporary crowns are used as a temporary restoration until a permanent crown is constructed by the dental laboratory and fitted to the patient at The Dental Studio, Singapore.
What does the procedure entail?
A typical dental crown requires at least 2 visits.
First Visit: Tooth preparation and impression is made on the first visit.
The tooth preparation allows for adequate room for the crown.
The prepared tooth will be protected with a temporary crown in between visits.
Second Visit: The crown is ready for use on the second visit.
How long do dental crowns/ tooth caps last?
A dental crown can last anywhere between 5 to 15 years. They should be brushed and flossed, just like cleaning natural teeth. Crowns and tooth caps may not be as strong as natural teeth, so it is important to remember to not bite down on hard objects or to use teeth to open or cut things – which is also not advisable with a set of natural teeth.
The Dental Studio offers dental crown services in Singapore. Once the dental crown procedure is complete, it may take some getting used to before the permanent crown feels like a regular tooth.