A dental crown is a simple alternative to more complicated dental solutions, says a W1 London dentist. A crown is exactly that in every sense of the word, and we all know that a crown, like wallpaper, can cover up a multitude of sins. Problems that a crown can solve range from discoloured, chipped, cracked and misaligned teeth, although it isn’t always the answer in some extreme cases, it is in most. The procedure is as simple as the solution itself, and involves, in most cases, just 2 visits to the dentist. On the first the dentist will assess if the damaged tooth can be repaired by a crown, if it can he will then take a series of photographs and do some simple tests, all of which are completely painless. The crown is made for that specific tooth, and that specific problem whatever it is. A colouration test is done to make sure that the crown will fit in naturally with the surrounding teeth. When the crown is ready to be fitted the dentist will numb the area and the tooth, then he will grind down the front of the tooth, they will take just enough off so that the thickness of the crown will fit on perfectly to keep the height. The crown is simply then cemented to the tooth and that’s it. Maintenance is simple and you can clean the crown as you do the other teeth. A crown mustn’t be confused with a veneer which is a completely different thing altogether, a veneer is a much thinner version and is more a cosmetic device, where as a crown will solve a lot more serious problems and last a lot longer. Most dental surgeries provide this service, and some consultations are free.
Category “Dental Crowns and Bridges”
Dental Crown Placement: It’s Easier Than You Think says a W1 London dentist
March 4th, 2010Posted in Dental Crowns and Bridges | No Comments »
Dental crowns explained; by a City of London dentist
February 3rd, 2010
A dental crown has distinct qualities that a veneer doesn’t have, and the two mustn’t be confused says a City of London dentist. A crown is a man made cap that is fitted to a damaged tooth, that damage can be a crack, a chip or a discolouration. It is made from a silver or gold based alloy, this in turn is coated with a hard wearing material to make it naturally white in colour. Some patients prefer to keep the silver or gold effect as a form of tooth jewellery, but that is a matter of personal taste rather than a requirement of a crown. Unlike a veneer that is a thin cover for the tooth, a crown actually replaces the depth of the tooth that is damaged. The dental technician makes the crown to a certain spec, then the dentist will remove the top layer of the tooth to the depth of the thickness of the cap, when the cap is fitted in place the tooth is half real and half artificial. It looks and feels, for all intents and purposes, like the original tooth. It retains all its nerves, but that makes it just as susceptible to infection as the other teeth, unlike dental implants which replace the whole tooth. A crown should last for years and will not usually wear down like a natural tooth, it isn’t possible to get an infection in a crown as it is an artificial tooth after all, but where the crown is joined to the natural tooth,this area is prone to infection as it is the natural tooth. Cleaning of the crown is the same as for the natural teeth, and flossing is also important to prevent an infection creeping into the join. The dental cement used will usually seal the joint, but this wears down with time and so extra dental care is necessary.
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Dental Crown Placement. It’s easier than you think explains a LondonW1 dentist
January 6th, 2010
A dental crown is a perfect way to transform our teeth, especially when they have become discoloured through food and drink intake, red wine being a big contributor to this condition. Other damage to teeth that could be solved by a crown can be more severe, and they will often save the tooth making it unnecessary for an implants or a false plate. Cracked teeth are difficult to see without the aid of a magnifying glass, so often we suffer from slight discomfort and risk more severe damage because of it. A crown over the tooth will not only make the tooth look like new, it will hold a crack in check, this also applies to a chipped, or in some cases, a misshapen tooth. Think of it like decorating a room, we strip off the old paper and it reveals old holes, cracks and bad repairs. We rub down the lumps, we fill the holes and wipe over the cracks. Then we line it and put on the final, smooth top paper. A dentist in LondonW1 explained that a crown placement procedure isn’t that complicated, but the comparison is good and the end result is the same. After some preparation work to fix the crown permanently to the tooth, the dentist will apply a clean coat of cement which not only holds the crowns in place, but will also go some way to preventing more damage to a cracked or chipped tooth. The new crown can be used in the same way as all your other teeth, and the care of it will be pretty much the same. If a crown becomes loose or falls out then a dentist can easily place it back, and without too much drama. Remember to keep it in some clean water, but don’t scrub it.
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London W1 Dentist saves cracked tooth with dental crown
December 6th, 2009
Dental crowns, also commonly known as dental caps, are a form of dental restoration cemented to damaged teeth to encase them and protect them from further damage and improve their cosmetic appearance. The crown will fully cover the whole of the tooth protruding above the gum to offer complete protection form any further damage. In this sense they differ from other restorative measures such as veneers and fillings which only cover a certain portion of the tooth. Crowns are usually made from porcelain, metal or a combination of the two. Although patients with a more expensive taste may opt to have a gold or silver crown fitted.
There are many reasons why a dentist will fit a dental crown but the most common include to increase the strength of a damaged tooth; to restore the original shape of a tooth and; to improve the cosmetic or aesthetic appearance of a tooth. When a tooth has been cracked or fractured it can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort and can expose the sensitive inside to various stimuli. A London W1 dentist would therefore need to apply a crown to protect the central nerve of the tooth and restore the shape and strength of the original. Crowns are increasingly being made using the benefits of computer technology, which is able to sculpt a perfectly sized and shaped crown in as little as six-minutes from a single piece of porcelain. This new technology means that dental crowns will have little if any affect on the appearance of the teeth.
The application process of a crown does involve the removal of some enamel to allow the crown to fit over the tooth without being too big in the mouth. This does mean that all crowns are permanent but they are only ever used if the situation absolutely demands it. A dental crown can be an incredibly useful and strong way to rebuild a tooth and can last for up to twenty years if properly maintained.
Regain lost smile with dental bridge from City of London dentist
December 4th, 2009
A dental bridge is an artificial tooth substitute that literally bridges the gap created by a missing tooth. The bridge itself is made of two crowns fixed on either side of the gap onto what are known as the abutment teeth, supporting a false tooth in between. The false tooth, called the pontic is usually made form ceramic to give it a realistic translucent appearance.
The benefits of a dental bridge are primarily that it fills the gap left by a missing tooth preventing a whole series of further dental complications and restoring the cosmetic appearance of the teeth. This also helps to maintain the profile and shape of the patient’s face and helps to prevent any interruptions to the bite.
Bridges are fitted over the course of several appointments at the dentist which may involve some tooth recontouring allowing for the attachment of the abutment crowns. Following a series of dental moulds, the crowns and pontic will be manufactured in laboratory conditions. It is usual for the dentist to fix a temporary bridge while the manufacturing is taking place to protect the exposed contoured teeth. At the final appointment the dentist will replace the temporary bridge with the completed permanent bridge.
With a good standard of oral hygiene and regular check ups with a City of London dentist, a dental bridge can last for anything between ten and fifteen years and as technology improves the time is likely to grow even longer. After the initial fixing of the bridge the patient may experience some discomfort but this will usually wear off as the patient gets used to it. It may have a similar short-term impact on speech but this again will wear off after a few days.
Porcelain dental crown from City of London dentist saves patient’s tooth
November 15th, 2009
A dental crown is a ceramic cap that is cemented over an existing tooth to repair damage or to restore its cosmetic appearance. It is most commonly used to cap teeth that have been filled or to protect teeth broken as the result of a head trauma.
There are many ways a tooth can be damaged. Sporting injuries account for up to 50 per cent of dental injuries. Dentists advise wearing a mouth guard when playing any sport with a high level of physical contact or that can involve any kind of collision. However it is still common for teeth to be chipped, cracked or broken when playing sport. Teeth are also commonly damaged in motor vehicle accidents or from simply accidentally chewing on hard food. Damage to teeth will initially be repaired with composite dental bonding. This tooth coloured resin is used to fill cracks and repair chips but it can itself be susceptible to damage. Dentists therefore often use a dental crown to sit over the damaged tooth to protect it from further injury.
Dental crowns are also used to protect teeth that have had cavity fillings. This is especially true of teeth with large cavities as dental bonding, used as a filling material, is weaker in large areas. Crowns are also used to protect teeth that have been subject to a root canal procedure. This is when an infected tooth has been hollowed to remove the infection. A dental crown is the last step in a complex process designed to preserve the functionality of the patient’s original tooth and prevent extraction.
Dental crowns are commonly manufactured from porcelain, a type of ceramic with a similar consistency and appearance to tooth enamel. Modern crowns are increasingly fabricated using the latest computer-aided technology. Using 3D imaging and digital x-rays dentists can construct images of the patients’ teeth on a computer. They can then use this information to manufacture a dental crown by milling it from a single piece of porcelain in as little as six minutes. This new technology has reduced treatment time for patients and improved the accuracy of treatment.
Dental crowns are very versatile and useful dental tools that can prevent the need for further treatment. Patients with damaged teeth should make an appointment with a City of London dentist to discuss the benefits of dental crowns.
Embarrassing missing tooth replaced with dental bridge from West London dentist
November 11th, 2009
Having a tooth knocked out or losing it to dental decay can be a very painful experience but people rarely consider the pain and anxiety that comes as a result of a missing tooth. Firstly, a missing tooth can be very embarrassing, especially in the teeth visible when smiling or talking. This can have serious repercussions for a patient’s self-confidence and esteem. It can cause people to be reluctant to smile and make eye contact, two of the most important ways we have of communicating.
But a missing tooth can have more than just psychological effects on a patient. A missing tooth in the dental arc can create a breeding ground for bacteria. Because the soft tissue is difficult to clean with a regular brush, it needs special attention to keep the hollow clean and prevent the spread of dangerous infections. A vacant space in the arc can also cause the remaining teeth to lean and shift about. This can cause irritating alterations to bite (the way the top and bottom teeth sit together when the mouth is closed). If left untreated this irritation can develop into a painful jaw condition called TMJ. It can also be the cause of sub-conscious teeth grinding known as bruxism. In cases where more than one tooth is lost, the loss of the rigid teeth structure can cause the facial tissue to sink, a process which becomes irreversible of not addressed in sufficient time.
It is therefore important to replace missing teeth as soon as possible. One of the most common artificial dental substitutes is called a dental bridge. This involves making a bridge from an artificial tooth attached to existing teeth on either side of the gap. If teeth are healthy and strong, the artificial tooth, known as a pontic from the Latin word for bridge, is attached with resin-bonded strips. If the teeth are not of sufficient quality the pontic will be attached to crowns cemented over the adjacent teeth.
Dental bridges are effective substitutes for real teeth. They are fixed substitutes unlike partial dentures or dental plates, so patients do not have to worry about the embarrassment of them falling out. If properly cared for and cleaned, a dental bridge can last for more than ten years. If you have suffered the pain of a knocked out or decayed tooth, ask a West London dentist about a dental bridge and you could restore your teeth to full functionality and restore their cosmetic appearance.
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London W1 dentist saves tooth with dental crown
October 17th, 2009
Some of the most common dental concerns that dentists are faced with are chipped, cracked or broken teeth. These are commonly caused by sporting injuries, head traumas or from biting something hard and can be very painful if not properly treated. The first option to fix the tooth is to try and use composite dental bonding. This involves making a tooth coloured resin paste and sculpting it to the tooth to create the desired shape. It is then set firm using the intense heat of a laser. Dental bonding is ideal for fixing small cracks and chips and is very durable. However, on certain occasions the damage is too great to repair or the injury has compromised the structural integrity of the tooth. In these cases, the dentist will need to manufacture and fit a durable dental crown in order to save the tooth.
Dental crowns can also be used to repair teeth damaged by tooth decay. If a tooth’s enamel has been eroded away and infection has spread to its root, its structural integrity may be severely damaged. Once a root canal procedure has been used to clear up the infection, to protect the tooth from further cracking or breaking completely, the dentist may use a dental crown. This also has the benefit of restoring the cosmetic appearance of the tooth.
Toady’s dental crowns are manufactured using CAD/CAM technology. This stands for computer aided design/computer aided manufacture and means that dentists now use digital x-rays and 3D imaging to build an exact replica of a patient’s teeth. Using the 3D image they can design the crown to microscopic levels of accuracy. Once happy with the projection, the dentist can begin the manufacturing process. This involves a computer guided milling device that sculpts the crown from a single piece of porcelain. By removing the need for dental moulds and x-ray developing the whole design and manufacture process can be achieved in one appointment, a vast improvement on the weeks the procedure used to take from start to finish
A dental crown is a lifelike and sturdy way to protect a tooth that may otherwise have been lost and can last for over ten years if properly looked after. If you are suffering from a cracked or damaged tooth visit a London W1 dentist fro a consultation.
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Restore your smile with a dental bridge from Central London dentist
October 16th, 2009
A missing tooth can be the source of great embarrassment because it is such an obvious flaw. It can make people reluctant to smile and be the cause of self-confidence issues. But a missing tooth can be physiologically damaging as well as psychologically. Missing teeth leave hollows in the gums that can be the breeding ground for bacteria. Because these hollows are difficult to clean with conventional brushing the bacteria builds up and becomes enamel-damaging plaque. This can lead to further tooth decay and tooth loss.
Missing teeth also leave gaps in the tooth line that other teeth will naturally lean into. This movement can be responsible for an interruption in bite which can lead to the painful jaw condition TMJ, as well as the sub-conscious grinding of teeth, known as bruxism Teeth also act as rigid supports for facial muscles and if missing can cause a sagging of the facial tissue that cam be irreversible.
There are several cosmetic dentistry procedures that can effectively replace a missing tooth or teeth, that can prevent all the abovementioned complications. One of the most popular is a dental bridge. This basically involves creating a bridge made of an artificial tooth, called the pontic, and securing it to existing teeth on either side of the gap.
There are three main types of dental bridge. The traditional fixed bridge involves anchoring the pontic to existing teeth with a dental crown on either side. A resin-bonded bridge is attached to the lateral teeth with resin bonded metal strips (only suitable for patients with strong existing teeth). Finally, the cantilevered bridge which is used when there are only natural teeth on one side of the gap. The pontic will be anchored to two or more teeth on that side.
Dental bridges are sturdy alternatives to real teeth. If properly cared for, with correct brushing and oral hygiene, they can last up to fifteen years. If you have a missing tooth, either due to dental injury or decay, ask a Central London dentist about fitting a dental bridge and you could prevent any further dental complications as well as restoring the cosmetic appearance of your teeth.
Get your smile back – talk to a London dentist about a dental bridge
August 16th, 2009
Having a missing tooth can be embarrassing and can cause you to be afraid of smiling, but with a dental bridge it is possible to achieve a realistic and natural looking smile that could restore your confidence.
A dental bridge is made up of two crowns that are anchored to existing teeth with one or more false teeth in the middle. Dental implants, natural teeth or a combination of the two can be used to support the bridge. There are various types of dental bridge but there is certain to be one that will provide you with the smile you’ve been looking for. The one you choose will often depend on the condition of your existing teeth, cost and the desired cosmetic results.
The three main types of dental bridge are: the Traditional Bridge, the most commonly used bridge that is made of porcelain fused to metal; the cantilever bridge, where there are only existing teeth on one side of the gap; and the Maryland Bonded Bridge, where plastic false teeth are supported by a metal framework.
The dental bridge procedure will usually involve two or three visits to the dentist. On the first visit the dentist will assess what kind of bridge will work best for you. He will take a mold of your teeth and maybe file down existing teeth so that they can accept the crowns. On follow up visits the dentist will cement the crowns to your existing teeth, securing firmly in place your new dental bridge.
With the proper care, a dental bridge will last between five and seven years. Looking after your bridge properly will not only extend its life but also the life and health of your existing teeth and gums. Regular brushing and flossing allied to regular dental check-ups will keep your oral hygiene and dental bridge in excellent condition and will prevent any further problems down the line. Speak to your London dentist now to see which dental bridge will be most suitable and you too can have a winning smile.
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