Understanding Dental Crowns: Benefits, Process, and FAQs

Dental crowns are one of the most common procedures at a dental clinic, with thousands of dental crowns being placed all around Melbourne every single day. Despite this, many of our loyal patients still don't know the basics regarding this simple procedure.

So, this article will shed some light as to what exactly a dental crown is, when they are needed and what to expect when you are getting a crown placed.

Looking for more restorative options? Learn about our dental implants in Tarneit

What is a Dental Crown?

Dental crowns are prosthetic caps used to cover natural teeth. They are most commonly used when a tooth is broken, stained, or damaged and a simple filling is insufficient to protect and repair it.

Types of Dental Crowns

There is a wide variety of dental crowns, and they can differ based on two major factors.

1. Size: Firstly, they can differ based on their size. Some crowns cover only a portion of the tooth whereas other crowns can cover the entire tooth.
2. Material: Dental crowns can also differ based on what material they are made of. The most common types of crowns are Zirconia and Porcelain Fused to Metal crowns however other materials such as gold and silver can also be used.

Benefits of Dental Crowns

The major benefits of a dental crown include:

1. Strength: Because crowns are made from strong materials, they are much more robust than a simple filling. This means that dental crowns are a long-term option that can often last you more than 10 years.
2. Fitting: Dental crowns are designed and fabricated at a dental laboratory, this means that they can be made to perfectly fit your tooth allowing for seamless integration into your smile and bite.
3. Cosmetics: Because dental crowns are lab-made, their color, shape and size can be fully customized to match your smile and your bite.

For cosmetic dental treatments, explore our teeth whitening services.

The Process of Getting a Dental Crown

The process for having a dental crown placed usually involves 2 appointments.

1. First Appointment: During the first appointment, the tooth having the crown will need to be prepared. This involves removing a small amount of tooth structure from all sides of the tooth to make space for the crown. During this process, you will be completely numb, so it is a pain-free experience. After the tooth is prepared, it will need to be scanned with an intraoral camera so that the scan can be sent to the lab for fabrication. A colour of the crown will also be selected, and a temporary crown will be placed in the interim.
2. Second Appointment: During the second appointment, the temporary crown will be removed, and the final crown will be fitted. The dentist will check that it fits well, and the color matches your natural teeth. Once satisfied, the dentist will permanently cement the crown onto your tooth.

Want to know more about our procedures? Visit our dental services page for more information.

Contact Us for More Information

If you need any more information on dental crowns, please feel free to contact our friendly team at Dazzling Smiles Dental, located in Tarneit Central Shopping Centre. You can reach us at (03) 8087 8455.