A dental crown is a tooth-shaped ‘cap’ that is placed over a tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and improve its appearance. The crown, when cemented into place, fully encases the entire visible portion of the tooth that lies at and above the gum line.
Why would I need a crown?
Crowns are an ideal way to repair teeth that have been broken or weakened by decay or very large fillings over time. A crown could be used for a number of other reasons, including:
- Improving the appearance of a tooth with a discoloured filling
- Protecting and strengthening a root treated tooth
- In a smile makeover case
LS1 Dental provides professional crown treatments, involving covering or capping teeth to reinforce their structure, fix broken parts and to improve their function and look. Crowns are usually made of porcelain or porcelain fused to either metal or gold. Full gold crowns are also available. You will have the opportunity to discuss your preferences with your dentist.
What does the treatment involve?
Using local anaesthetic, your dentist will ensure you are pain free during the procedure. It should feel no different from any other dental treatment you may have had before.
We then prepare the tooth to the ideal shape for the crown. This involves removing a layer of the outer surface of your tooth, leaving a strong inner core. The amount of the tooth removed will be the same as the thickness of the crown.
Once your tooth is shaped, the dental team will take an impression of the prepared tooth, one of your opposite jaw and possibly another to show the way you currently bite together.
Your impressions are then sent off to a dental technician. At LS1, we only work with experienced and long standing technicians to ensure the best possible results. We also send information about your chosen shade and anything else needed to create the perfect crown for you!
What is an inlay / partial crown?
If you have a broken tooth or a leaky filling, both can be treated with an inlay made from either porcelain or gold. This provides a high degree of strength, but is more conservative than a full crown.
Porcelain crowns and inlays are made on site using CEREC 3D technology. This computerised technology eliminates the need for dental impressions to be taken and the associated time required by dental laboratories to fabricate crowns and inlays. It makes the whole procedure quick and effective, so that we don’t waste your time and we can get on with what we do best – restoring your teeth and smile.
Single appointment crowns
Most conventional crowns will require two appointments to complete, the first where your tooth will be prepared by the dentist and impressions taken, which are then sent off to a dental technician for the crown to be made. The second appointment will then be made around a week later to fit your new crown. LS1 Dental Leeds can offer the latest technology with CEREC crowns which enables us to provide you with a crown made and fitted in just a single visit.
How much will my crown cost?
Costs will differ depending upon the type of crown and the material used. Once this has been decided on by you and the dental team, you will be given a full written estimate and treatment plan, giving you a clear understanding of all costs and options available prior to any treatment starting.
LS1 Dental Leeds has the facility to offer interest free payment plans to help spread the cost of your treatment out – to find out more see LS1 Dental Finance.
