You can keep many extensively damaged teeth.

Dental Crowns

• Crowns are used to replace the outside of your tooth, strengthening a weakened tooth, to preserve it. Crown may also be used to improve the appearance of a tooth and as part of treatment to replace a missing tooth. A tooth may be weakened by:
• • Extensive tooth decay,
• • Failed large filling,
• • Breakage due to wear or trauma,
• • Root canal treatment,
• • Defective tooth.

Types of Crowns

Crowns are made outside of your mouth, usually classified by the material made from. Health fund classify crown as major dentistry. Crowns are usually classified by the material made from. The most common are non-metallic (tooth coloured crowns), metallic crowns or combination crowns. The Port Kennedy Dental Group has a preference for Zirconia crown for “back teeth” and E-Max crowns for “front teeth”. Both of these look like teeth. For durability on back teeth gold may still be used.

Procedure for Crown.

Several visits are required. Initially your mouth is assessed for suitability for crowns. Many teeth requiring crowns will need a base called a core or preliminary restoration placed first. The tooth is prepared for a crown, removing a layer of tooth (and core if present) from all surfaces.. Models are made of the prepared tooth and a temporary crown made. The models are sent to a specialised ceramist who will custom make a crown to fit your tooth. The crowns are usually manufactured in Perth, Western Australia and meet the requirements of the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. Occasionally specialised crown may be manufactured in New South Wales, Australia. Once manufactured the crown is returned to Port Kennedy and are attached to your prepared teeth, recreating a strong tooth.

Caring for your new Crown

Crowns are quite durable, but with a little care may last for a very long time. It is best to avoid biting or chewing on very hard foods such as boiled lollies, ice, bones and similar. Using the crowned tooth to hold hard objects such as pins, nails, screws, bottle tops and similar should also be avoided. Regular brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing will help prevent tooth decay commencing under the crown. This will also minimise stains on the veneers, keeping your smile looking nice. Keeping the gums healthy, helps minimise gum shrinking away from the crown to show dark tooth roots.

Suitability of Crown for your mouth

Crowns are not suitable treatments for all people, or for all problem teeth. At a dental consultation, the complete risks, benefits and suitability of veneer treatment can be assessed and discussed. Complex treatments involving crowns may require referral to a specialist dentist called a Prosthodontist.