Here at Cliftonville we offer state-of-the-art CEREC technology, allowing us to produce beautiful same-day crowns for patients.
How do crowns work?
Crowns are used to cover a damaged, decayed, broken, chipped or cracked tooth and will strengthen the tooth as well as make it appear cosmetically sound again. Crowns are placed over the top of a dental implant to improve its appearance, functionality and structure. Here at Cliftonville, you will be able to discuss a desired shade for your crown with your dentist beforehand, so that your new crown is in keeping with the rest of your existing teeth. We offer porcelain and ceramic crowns, created using CEREC technology. If the tooth you are looking to have crowned is a back tooth, materials such as gold or metal may be more suitable.
When might I need crown?
- To replace a large filling if there isn’t enough tooth remaining.
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing.
- Restore a fractured tooth.
- Attach a bridge.
- To cover a dental implant.
- To cover a discoloured or badly shaped tooth.
- To cover a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment.
How do bridges work?
If you are missing one or more teeth, a bridge may be more suitable. Replacing missing teeth is vital, as neighbouring teeth may shift into the vacant gaps and disturb your facial structure and jawbone, causing temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ). Bridges literally bridge the gaps where teeth are missing and are fixed to a healthy existing tooth or to implants surrounding the empty space. You have a choice of materials as with crowns and you and your dentist will discuss this together, based on the location of the missing teeth in question.
Creating crowns and bridges
Preparation for crowns and bridges involves etching some of the teeth you are having repaired. This means removing some of the tooth enamel so that the crown or bridge is a perfect fit amongst the rest of your teeth, otherwise you will end up with particularly thick new teeth! Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth, resulting in a bespoke mould for the bridge or crown. Following this, the dental lab will create your crown or bridge in the material chosen by you and your dentist beforehand, and a temporary restoration will be fitted. Once the crown or bridge is ready, your dentist can fit it and you can maintain it in the same way as a natural tooth/teeth.
If you would like more information about crowns and bridges at Cliftonville, please do not hesitate to contact us.