Dental crowns – restoring a damaged tooth was never so easier

tooth crowns in London

There are times when your tooth may require a dental crown. Usually when the enamel coating of a tooth no longer performs its function, a dental crown becomes relevant. A crown needs space to sit on your tooth. A portion of the enamel coating is scrapped away from the tooth to make the space. It is relevant to mention that the tooth enamel is the hardest substance found in the human body. When we eat or drink our teeth are exposed to mechanical, thermal and chemical forces. Presence of the protective enamel coating enables the teeth to withstand those forces. But the enamel is not unbreakable. In course of time it may protective coating may suffer from wear, tear and other damages.

Dental crown – what is it?

A dental crown is also referred to as a cap or dental cap. In dentistry the term crown has two distinct uses. It is used to refer to the anatomical portion of each tooth which remains visible from the gums. When your tooth is healthy, it is obvious that the enamel coating will cover its entire crown. A crown is also a special type of dental restoration. It covers the entire anatomical crown of a tooth. Both the terms are used interchangeably.

Dentists who deal in tooth crowns in London have something to say in the present context. The edges of a dental crown are called margin. Usually the margin rests real close to the tissues of the gum that surround the tooth. There are several factors to take into account regarding exact placement of the margin. Your dentist makes that decision while planning your dental crown treatment.

Some teeth may require dental crowns – why?

A tooth may need a dental crown for various reasons. Some of the reasons are as following –

• When the tooth enamel no longer can perform its function, the tooth may need a crown.

• The outermost and protective enamel coating may suffer crack, decay or erosion due to acids. As the enamel becomes weak, it requires reinforcement. Dentists usually recommend a crown in these cases.

Presence of large cavities

A cavity in the tooth or the enamel results from bacterial infections. These harmful bacteria feed on the sugary substances you consume. The bacteria produce acid which dissolves the enamel coating of the tooth. This is how the harmful bacteria penetrate into your tooth. A dentist handles patients with dental crowns in London over the years. With the passage of time if left untreated the cavity grows larger. As the cavity deepens inside the tooth, the enamel becomes more and more weak.

A weak enamel structure cannot support chewing functions of the tooth properly any longer. In such cases a dental filling is not enough to save and retain the tooth. So your dentist recommends a dental cap to reinforce the already damaged tooth.

Disproportionately large filling in a tooth

Your tooth may require a large filling. In such cases a dental crown is usually required to support the tooth. A dental filling is a reliable restoration for any diseased or decayed tooth. It also replaces the tooth structure that is lost in decay. But this dental restoration cannot reinforce a tooth. A dental filling only fills in a hole in your tooth. When your tooth requires a filling that is disproportionately large, your dentist may recommend to a crown. A crown protects the already damaged tooth from any further damage.

Massive acid erosion

A leading dentist in London Bridge has something important to say. This point is relevant to the ongoing context. There are people who suffer from massive acid reflux or GERD. Some people also nurture their acidic habits. They drink sodas every day. All these people suffer from enamel erosion in significant quantities on regular basis. It is important to rebuild those teeth. Rebuilding involves replacing the lost enamel too. Thus dentists recommend dental caps in these cases. Crowns prevent any further loss of both the tooth structure and the enamel coating.

Enamel erosion due to heavy grinding and clenching of the teeth (or Bruxism)

In dental terms the problem of grinding and clenching of the teeth is called Bruxism. This problem leads to mechanical wear and tear of the teeth including that of the protective enamel coating. In course of time this results massive loss of the enamel structure. The teeth thus turn shorter and flattened. Rebuilding these teeth is also crucial. Dental crowns help rebuilding these damaged teeth.

Teeth with cracks

Dentists working in a renowned dental practice in London Bridge have something interesting to say. Cracks usually develop on the teeth that have large fillings. Even the healthy teeth may develop cracks too. Cracks are common in the molar teeth at the back of the mouth. People who suffer from bruxism usually develop this type of cracks on their molars.

A crack in the tooth may also occur due to an accident. You may have tried biting into a hard non-food item and ended up with a crack in the tooth. When a crack occurs in the tooth enamel two things are likely to occur –

• Penetration of harmful bacteria into the inner tooth structure

• Experience sensitivity due to temperature differences

What is the standard cost of a dental crown in London? The cost usually ranges from around £300 to £1500. The price varies depending on few factors, like –

• Complexity involved in a case

• The type of material used

• Location of a dental practice

• Reputation and credibility of a dentist

RCT or root canal treatment

If a tooth undergoes an RCT, then chances a high that it may require a dental cap. RCT is the shortened form of root canal treatment. The procedure of root canal treatment involves removing nerves and blood vessels from the innermost chamber of a tooth. The tooth is likely to turn brittle easily and break. A crown protects the tooth from breakage or any other damage.       

Different varieties of crowns for the tooth

Dental crowns are available in a range of varieties. You select your crown according to your individual preference and financial constraint. It is a good idea to consult your dentist over the matter. Skilled and experienced dentists working at the SW19 Confidental Dental Clinic in London identify some of the popular types of crowns. These include 0-

• Traditional gold crowns

• All-porcelain crowns

• Zirconia crowns and

• Traditional porcelain fused to metal crowns