The tooth which is broken or weakened can not perform its activity. A crown can be placed to make the tooth structure stronger. It is a restoration process of the remaining tooth structure.

What is a crown?

A crown is an artificial replacement that if placed over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth. A crown is sometimes also called a ‘cap’.

Why would I require a crown?

Crowns are typical restoration for teeth that have been cracked or have been weakened by decay or a very large filling. A crown can help for a number of other reasons, for instance:

• People who have discolored fillings and would like to improve the appearance of the tooth
• You may have had a root filling which may need a crown to protect what is left of the tooth.
• You may help hold a bridge or denture firmly in place.
• Crowns can improve the appearance of teeth.

What is a crown made of?

Crowns can be made of different materials and new materials are continually being advanced. Some of the most popular options are listed below.

Porcelain bonded to precious or non-precious metal:

This is what most crowns are made from. A precious or non-precious metal base is made and then porcelain is used in layers atop it.

Porcelain crowns:

These are made completely out of porcelain and are not as strong as bonded crowns, but they can look very natural and are most often used for front teeth.

All-ceramic crowns:

This advanced technology offers a metal-free option, which can give the health of a bonded crown and the appearance of a porcelain crown.

Glass:

These crowns look similar to a natural tooth and are used on both front and back teeth.

Gold alloy crowns:

Gold is one of the best and oldestfifilling materials, Today it is worked with other metal alloys to increase its strength, which makes it a very hard wearing restoration. These crowns are silver or gold in color.

What will happen in my appointment?

A temporary crown will be fit to the tooth so that you can utilize the tooth while you wait for the crown to be made. This crown may be more noticeable and not highly comfortable but is only a temporary measure.

How long does the treatment take?

You will need to have at least two visits. fiIn first visit your dentist will take the impression, shade taking and he may fit the temporary crown. In the second visit, the permanent crown will be cemented. There will usually be about 1 to 2 weeks duration required in between appointments.

Does it pain while preparing the tooth for a crown?

No, your dentist may give you a local anesthetic and the preparation should feel no different from a filling. If the tooth does not have a nerve, and a post crown is being fixed, then you may not require a local anesthetic.

Will the crown be noticeable?

The crown will be made to match your other teeth as closely as possible. The color of the adjacent teeth will be registered, to make that the color looks natural and matches the surrounding teeth.

Will the crown feel different?

Since the shape of the crown will be slightly different from the shape of your natural tooth, you will realise it initially. Within a few days, it should feel normal, and you will not notice it.

How should I take care of my crown?

How long your crown remains depends on how well you look after it. The crown itself cannot get the cavity, but the cavity can start where the edge of the crown joins the tooth. Therefore, to prevent cavity affecting the crown, it is important to keep this area just as clean as you would your own teeth.

Brushing two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and clean in between your teeth with interdental brushes or floss thread.

How long will the crown last?

Crowns can last for many years id it is taken care of. Your dentist will be able to tell you how long the crown may be expected to remain.

References:

• • Crowns- American Dental Association (ADA)
  • Dental Crowns- WebMD
  • Crowns- Oral health Foundation