Dr Michael's Dental Clinic: What you need to know about dental crowns

What you need to know about dental crowns

• A crown is an artificial replacement that restores missing tooth structure by surrounding the remaining coronal tooth structure, or is placed on a dental implant. The tooth-crown unit restores the aesthetic and function like any natural tooth. Dental crowns are permanently cemented existing teeth or implants and can only be removed by a dentist.

• Following a Root Canal Therapy (RCT), it is highly recommended to protect the teeth, especially the molars and premolars, with a crown. Crowns will protect the teeth that have become highly susceptible to breaking, fracturing or splitting through the roots.
• Crowns can be used to close spaces between teeth, fix chipped, worn, discolored and poorly shaped teeth.
• When there is excessive loss of tooth structure (like large decays and fractures) that involves multiple surfaces, the crown could be the restoration of choice.
• In some cases, the placement of a crown on a cracked tooth provides maximum protection and prevent tooth loss.
• For teeth that are restored with very large filling and in cases where the amount of the remaining tooth structure is small, it is recommended to place crowns to prevent fractures and/or cracks.
• In case of severe loss of enamel, crowns are successfully used to restore the functions and esthetics of the patients.
• Crowns are used to attach a bridge. A dental bridge is composed a pontic (false tooth) and two anchoring dental crowns or abutments.
• A crown covers a dental implant; an ‘implant crown’ is placed to replace the missing tooth.

• All-ceramic: due to the true revolution in dental industry. The “metal free” crowns are suitable for most cases. They combine excellent biocompatibility, high strength and high esthetics to ensure long-term success.
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal: the crown is made from both metal (precious or non-precious) and porcelain. PFM crown are still very commonly used for the back teeth but do not meet today’s esthetic standards for the front teeth.
• Gold: the use of gold crowns has significantly declined due to the importance of esthetic and the progress made in dental materials. However, in some cases they are still the best available option.

• First session for when the dentist prepares the teeth, takes impressions and places a temporary crown.
• Second session for when the actual crown is fitted and cemented.

• The treatment is pain free. After porcelain crowns are cemented, some patients may occasionally experience sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. It’s best to consult with your dentist for more information about your individual case.

• Crowns look very natural, they replicate the original tooth and improve the aesthetic when needed.

• Crowns are fixed with cements. The cementation technique is specific for each type crowns based on the material used.

• While crowns and bridges can last a lifetime, they do sometimes come loose or fall out.

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Jumeirah Clinic
Villa 418 Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 2, PO Box 12372, Dubai, UAE.
Tel: +971 4 349 5900, Fax: +971 4 342 0455
Email: [email protected]

Umm Suqeim Branch
Villa 1016 Al Wasl Road, Umm Suqeim 1, PO Box 213720, Dubai, UAE.
Tel: +971 4 394 9433, Fax: +971 4 395 5390
Email: [email protected]