Crowns and veneers

Crowns

The crown of a tooth is the part showing in the mouth. As we age parts of the more yellow root may begin to show. Artificial crowns can be made to replace or cover the natural crown.

Crowns cover most or all of the visible part of a damaged tooth. They have to withstand the biting forces and need to be strong enough to do so. Disfigured teeth can be made to appear like new, particulary front teeth.

They may be used to change appearance and even slightly re-position natural crowns, but their use, particularly for cosmetic reasons, comes with warnings. It should be mentioned that the alternatives of leaving a broken down tooth, or placing a large filling are more likely to lead to failure, than protecting it with a crown.

Risks after crowning teeth

Sound tooth is a living substance, reacting to damage by disease and surgical interference, sometimes to the point where root filling is required to avoid tooth loss. It has been estimated that between one in ten and one in five crowned teeth die, eventually. Very badly damaged teeth repaired in this way, or those previously restored with large fillings, because of their pre-existing state, are more vulnerable. Perhaps even more would have this problem, were they not crowned. There is justification for protecting damaged teeth with crowns, but less for cosmetic changes, unless psychological effects are present badly affecting a person's confidence such that they may avoid leaving home, or be fearful of socialising, shopping, or going to work. We have dealt with such people and improvements can be life-changing, and worth the risks.

Having outlined the risks, we can temper that by saying that it is surprising how damaged teeth can be and after crowning most settle without further treatment being necessary.

Where a crowned tooth subsequently requires root-filling

Where the crown is still within the guarantee period, we will carry out your preference to root-fill the tooth or extract the tooth. You pay for this ADDITIONAL treatment, and as a matter of goodwill, we fit a new crown free of charge, if you decide to keep the tooth.

Our preferred method of preparing crowns

We usually use a new technique involving only one visit, rather than the traditional two visit approach where a temporary crown protects the tooth for about two weeks while the laboratory technician makes the new one. This approach is likely to reduce the risk of the tooth failing over conventional approaches.

Veneers

A veneer covers the visible part of front teeth to improve appearance. Depending on circumstances, they may require little or no removal of sound tooth with little risk of irritation, or they may require similar thickness of tooth removal as a crown.

Veneers may be made out of porcelain or directly attached plastics. Porcelain is more durable and maintains an excellent appearance over the long term having a glass-like surface. Plastic is cheaper, but requires more time with your mouth open to make and the surface is porous so stains tend to develop. If the reason for fitting them is appearance then the porcelain variety are much superior for the long-term, reducing the number of replacement cycles.

Onlays and Inlays

Where there is extensive damage to the crown of a tooth, some parts may be strong enough to be retained and the crown material only replacing the lost or damaged parts.

If the material is largely enclosed in tooth substance it is known as an inlay, while an onlay replaces larger sections of tooth.

Advantages

These take advantage of the remaining strength of the tooth and minimise irritation caused by removing healthy tissue. There are advantages of using this technique rather than placing a large filling and these are mailny the fit, finish and strength reducing the number of repair cycles through a lifetime.