If you’re not entirely happy with your smile, you’re not alone. We all struggle with how we look at times. However, if you have crooked, misshapen or severely discoloured teeth, it can really knock your self-confidence. Fortunately, dental crowns, an adornment for your mouth rather than your head, can change all of that and finally give you a smile you can feel proud of.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are small dental devices, otherwise known as dental caps, that are used to permanently cover damaged or discoloured teeth. They are similar to false teeth, but instead of entirely replacing your natural tooth, they are placed over the top to mask severe damage or discolouration. They can also be used alongside dental implants to completely replace missing teeth and fill gaps in your mouth. Crowns are generally made of porcelain, a strong, durable material that replicates the appearance of dental enamel. The result is that crowns can match both the colour and texture of existing teeth, making them an incredibly natural-looking dental restoration.
What Problems Can Dental Crowns Solve?
Dental crowns can be used to transform your smile in many ways and can treat several dental problems:
- Fix Chipped Teeth – chipped teeth can impact your smile and leave your teeth exposed to infection and decay. Crowns can be used to protect your teeth from further damage and improve your appearance.
- Straighten Teeth – braces aren’t the only way to straighten teeth. If you have a crooked tooth, a crown can offer a faster, simpler solution.
- Avoid Extraction – if you have root canal therapy, your tooth can become weaker and more susceptible to damage. A crown can protect it and save it from extraction.
- Restore Tooth Shape – if you have stubbornly misshapen teeth, it can affect your smile and your bite. A crown can help cover up misshapen teeth and restore aesthetics and functionality.
- Cover Discoloured Teeth – sometimes discoloured teeth can’t be improved with teeth whitening alone. With a crown, however, you can perfectly match your natural tooth colour for a seamless appearance.
- Boost Confidence – while your teeth might function properly, damaged or discoloured teeth can have a real knock on your self-confidence. Crowns are able to restore your smile and your confidence.
How the Procedure Works
Assuming you aren’t having dental implants too, there are a couple of stages to having a crown fitted in Bexley. First and foremost will be an in-depth dental consultation to ensure your tooth can support the crown. Your dentist will then file down your tooth and shape it, so the crown fits perfectly in place. At this point, digital imaging technology will be used to take an impression of your tooth and create a custom-made crown that will be permanently placed on your existing tooth with an adhesive.
What are the Benefits of Dental Crowns?
Not only do crowns improve how your teeth look, but they can improve their function too. They protect damaged teeth from further harm and support your surrounding teeth to keep them firmly in place. In fact, as well as the oral health benefits, dental crowns offer several other benefits too:
- Long-lasting – dental crowns can last up to 15 years if you take good care of your teeth.
- Natural-looking – crowns are made from tooth-coloured porcelain or ceramic and are designed to perfectly match the colour of your existing teeth.
- Cost-effective – an affordable dental crown is a much better option to save your existing teeth than dental implants.
How to Care for Dental Crowns
As with any cosmetic dental procedure in Sydney, if you look after your teeth afterwards, you can enhance the lifespan of your crowns. To care for dental crowns, you should treat them like your natural teeth. Brush and floss regularly, maintain a healthy balanced diet and visit your dentist regularly. Look after your crowns and they can restore the function, health, and appearance of your smile for years to come.
