A Guide to Dental Crown Procedures to Help put Your Mind at Ease!

What exactly is a dental crown, and how do they work? The specialists at Oakley Dental are at hand to explain everything in this quick and simple guide. If you’ve been recommended a dental crown, or are curious about whether this might be the correct procedure for you, just look below to have your questions answered.

1. What is a dental crown?

A crown is a kind of cap. It is used to cover a badly damaged tooth, lending it extra strength and giving it the appearance of a healthy, undamaged tooth that matches the rest, vastly improving your smile.

2. What are dental crowns made of?

Crowns can be made from a range of materials with the most popular being porcelain. This is a sturdy material that can be made to look and feel exactly like your natural teeth, and can be expertly shaped to blend in with them precisely.

3. What is the difference between a crown and a veneer?

Crowns cover, or surround, the whole tooth, while veneers only cover the front surface. In this way, crowns are preferred when fixing the structure of a damaged tooth, and veneers tend to be used when just improving a discoloured, slightly chipped or crooked tooth’s appearance.

4. How does the procedure work?

First of all, your existing tooth needs to be prepared. This is done very simply. The dentist will give you local anaesthetic, so there will be no pain whatsoever. After this, they will shape your tooth in order for there to be enough room to fit the crown and to ensure that it will look even against your other teeth. It will then be fitted with a simple and subtle acrylic crown to protect it during the two weeks it will take to create and perfect your new crown. When you come back in for your next appointment, your permanent crown will be tested to ensure that it offers the best possible results, and will then be fitted to your natural tooth.

5. How do I take care of my crowns?

Porcelain is sturdy and very similar in strength to natural teeth, though in the hours following the procedure, the crown will be a little weaker as it is yet to “grow” into its surroundings. This simply means that you shouldn’t eat any hard, crunchy or chewy foods in the first few days after it is fitted. Other than that, you can continue with your usual dental hygiene regime!

Getting a dental crown fitted is a straightforward process that Oakley Dental performs again and again. Our team is made up of extremely experienced cosmetic dentists and orthodontists, and we are also Dental Phobia Certified – meaning that if you suffer from particularly extreme fear, nervousness or anxiety before going to the dentist, we have been trained in specialist methods that help us to take care of you and put your mind at ease. If you’re considering getting a dental crown, simply call us today on 0161-773-0111 for a free consultation.