Your dentist just told you that you would need dental crowns.  What exactly does that mean?

Simply put, dental crowns are caps that are placed over damaged teeth when a filling is not sufficient to seal compromised areas of the tooth.  In most cases, once positioned, dental crowns do not require any special care other than routine dental hygiene and annual exams.

Dental Crowns in Innaloo

It’s not uncommon for teeth to become damaged or worn over time; this can be the result of injuries, decay, and wear from grinding teeth.  All of these things can cause your teeth to become distressed and lose their shape.  A dental crown is a cap placed over your tooth, restoring its size, shape, appearance, and strength.

To place a properly fitting dental crown, Odin House Dental Surgery will take an impression of the tooth needing the crown, including the teeth above and below.  This impression will ensure that the crown does not negatively impact your bite once cemented in place.  Your dentist will then send the impressed mold to a dental lab for the creation of your custom-designed crown.  In the meantime, you will receive a temporary crown to cover and protect your damaged tooth. After your dentist receives your permanent crown, they will remove the temporary one and cement the permanent one in place.

How do I know I need a dental crown?

Your dentist will tell you that you need a crown for several different reasons, including:

• Restoring or repairing a broken tooth
• Covering or supporting a tooth that is largely missing or displaced by a large filling
• To repair a severely worn tooth
• To cover discolored teeth
• To protect a weakened tooth from decay, breaking, or to keep a cracked tooth together
• As a protection to a tooth after a root canal

How long will my crown last?

How long your crown lasts depends on the wear it experiences.  The better your dental habits, the longer your crown will last. Most crowns will last between five to fifteen years, depending upon wear and care. The following is a list of behaviors to be avoided at all costs and which can greatly diminish the efficacy and integrity of your teeth and dental crowns:

• Chewing ice cubes or hard candy
• Grinding or clenching your teeth
• Using your teeth to open things

To ensure the longest possible health of your crown and your existing teeth, you will want to avoid doing all of these things.

Will my crown require special care?

No, crowns don’t require any special care other than avoiding the things that will wear them down.  Practicing regular and proper oral hygiene including twice-daily brushing and flossing, avoiding biting hard surfaces like ice, hard candy, popcorn hulls, etc., or excessive clenching or gnashing of your teeth.  Regular visits to your dentist are highly recommended as well.

How much will my dental crown cost?

The cost of your dental crown depends upon several factors like availability, the material used – porcelain, for example, is more expensive than gold – and your proximity to an available dental practice.  Typically, a dental crown can range in price from $800.00 to $1,500.00.  Consultation with a dentist will ensure a thorough dental examination and provide appropriate information for all your dental crown needs.

Contact us for your Dental Crown needs in Innaloo.

To receive the best dental crowns in the Innaloo area, give us a call today.

About Odin House Dental Surgery

Over the last two decades, Odin House Dental Surgery has been proud to serve the suburb of Innaloo and has grown to include 10 dentists, three oral health therapists, and 10 support staff. We have eight surgery rooms, a sterilisation room, a laboratory (where we make your mouth guards, whitening trays, and models) as well as two waiting rooms which include a small play area for children. We also have a unique “special room” complete with a massage chair, large screen TV, and even X Box!

Our dentists are all members of the Australian Dental Association and are local to Perth, so it would be no surprise if you have seen us out and about in the community.