Protect damaged teeth with dental crowns from South East London dentist
14 / 02 / 2010
Dental crowns, also commonly known as caps, are restorations that protect teeth that have been damaged. Common dental injuries include cracked, chipped or broken teeth that can be the source of great pain. The aim of the crown is to cover the entire tooth that protrudes above the gum line in order to protect it from further damage and cover the exposed and painful dental nerve.
Dental crowns are not always the first option because they involve the removal of otherwise healthy enamel prior to fixing and the dentist will usually try to repair the damage with dental bonding. In many cases the damage may be too severe to repair just with bonding and a crown will be necessary.
Modern crowns are made from a variety of materials but the most commonly they are manufactured from metal, porcelain or a combination of the two. All-porcelain crowns are considered to be the most appealing option because they are the most visually discreet, although some patients do choose all metal or even gold crowns.
The manufacturing procedure of crowns has changed dramatically in the last few years as South East London dentists adopt the latest technology to aid the process. Dentists have utilised the latest digital x-ray technology and computer imaging to produce incredibly accurate crowns milled from a single piece of porcelain. This new technology represents the future of dentistry and has significantly reduced appointment and waiting times.
A well-fitted crown should last between 15 and 20 years before needing replacing and the cost will depend upon the choice of material and severity of the damage suffered by the tooth.
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