If a tooth becomes broken or damaged, it’s essential to have treatment to make sure the tooth is repaired in order to make sure it is not infected or lost altogether. A common way to support teeth which have become damaged is with dental crowns, also known as caps because they sit over the top of your tooth and then cover the whole tooth. Crowns thus help your tooth look more natural as well as strengthening them. Crowns can be made of several materials, from gold to a metal-and-porcelain composite. Types of crown used at Dublin18 Dental Care include porcelain crowns, useful for their strength and tooth-coloured appearance; Procera crowns, which are made of a very strong, long-lasting material; and the CEREC treatment, a high-tech and very fast procedure which means that the crown can be made and fitted in one visit.

What problems can crowns help with?

One of the most common reasons for a crown to be used is if the tooth has been damaged or decayed, and the patient cannot use the tooth as normal, and there is not enough of the tooth remaining to allow for a filling. Crowns may also be used in cases where there is not enough tooth left to use the composite bonding technique to ‘rebuild’ the tooth. Occasionally, you may choose a crown over a filling, as it offers more support and extra protection. After root canal treatment, it may also be necessary to use a crown to protect the tooth and allow it to heal fully – these are called ‘post’ or ‘core’ crowns. Excessive tooth-grinding or teeth being worn away by an unsuitable diet may also necessitate the use of crowns. Finally, you may choose to be fitted with crowns simply in order to improve your smile, as they fit over your teeth and so can create a more uniform, ‘natural’ looking smile.