A smile plays a large role in a person’s self-esteem and self-confidence. Dental issues can often put a dent in a person’s confidence if left unresolved. Dental crowns are one solution that can restore your smile.

A dental crown is a cap for damaged teeth. It is placed over a tooth to cover the tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and improve its appearance. The caps fully cover the entire visible portion of teeth that lie at and above the gum line. 

Dental caps can be suggested by the dentists in cases such as:

• If the tooth has a large cavity that is too big for a filling

• If the tooth is severely worn down or broken, the cap can restore the tooth

• If the tooth is cracked, the cap can hold together the parts of the cracked tooth

• If the tooth is weakened- the cap protects the weak tooth from breaking

• After root canal treatment on a tooth, because the tooth is left more fragile and needs protection

• In the case of dental implant treatments, caps are fixed to cover the implant

• To hold a dental bridge in place

• To align the bite

• Caps cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t a lot of the tooth left

• To make cosmetic modification- caps can be used to cover misshapen or severely discoloured teeth. Caps are used for aesthetic purposes and help achieve a better smile by levelling the size, shape and colour of the tooth.

Dental crowns can be made up of different materials such as porcelain, ceramic, zirconia, metal, composite resin, or a combination of materials (for example having a porcelain crown fused to metal, instead of an all-porcelain crown). Each material can offer different advantages. For instance, porcelain dental crowns offer a natural look. They are bio-compatible, that means no metal is used and are toxic-free. The choice of the material used for the crown can depend on factors such as:

• The tooth’s location

• How much of the tooth is visible in a smile

• Position of gum tissue

• Function of the tooth that needs the crown

• How much of the natural tooth is remaining

• Colour of the surrounding teeth

The procedure to get a dental crown involves certain steps. Usually, it takes two dental visits to complete the treatment. In cases where the crown is placed over a natural tooth, the steps involved include:

• Preparation: The dentist prepares the tooth by removing the outer portion so that the crown will fit. Decay is removed from the tooth. In cases where additional tooth structure is required to support the crown, the dentist builds up the core of the tooth.

• Impression: To get an exact model for the crown, an impression of the tooth is made. This can be made from a mould or by digitally scanning the tooth.

• Temporary Crown: In cases where the procedure is not carried out on the same day, the dentist may give a temporary crown to the tooth. The wait for the permanent crown usually takes less than two weeks.

• Placement and Adjustment: When the crown is ready, the dentist places it in the patient’s mouth and makes the required adjustments. When the fit is satisfactory, the dentist cements the crown into place.

Dental crowns can be the solution that you seek to fix your smile. At Naseem al Rabeeh, we offer the best care from the best doctors. Our dental centre in Wakrah has state-of-the-art equipment and a team of highly-skilled professionals. Get started with Naseem for a better and healthier smile.