Crown Reconstructions

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over a prepared tooth to restore its strength, shape, size and improve its appearance. There are different types of dental crowns such as metal, porcelain (also known as ceramic), composite resin, or a combination of materials.

A dental crown may be indicated for the following:

• Protecting a weak tooth due to decay
• Restoring a broken or severely worn down tooth
• To support or cover a large filling when there isn't much tooth left
• To hold a dental bridge in place
• To cover a dental implant
• To cover severely discoloured teeth
• Cosmetic modification

The indication for full mouth reconstruction is usually because of a failing dentition due to a long history of decay, multiple fillings and porcelain crowns and veneers etc. People who have moderate to severe tooth wear, full occlusal reconstructions or partial occlusal reconstructions might be indicated to restore lost tooth structure, normal tooth shape and function. Occlusal reconstructions can consist of porcelain crowns/inlays/onlays on teeth or on implants (artificial roots) or on a combination of teeth and implants if some of the teeth are removed or not strong enough to support crowns or restorations.

Before a dental crown is placed, Dr Stéfan Bester will perform a comprehensive examination of the mouth and the temporomandibular jaw (TMJ) joints. He will then prepare the tooth or teeth and make an impression of your teeth to send to the laboratory. A temporary crown /provisional crown will be fitted to temporarily protect the tooth or teeth while the permanent crown is being made in the dental laboratory.

A temporary crown can be placed for a limited period, which won’t be as strong as a permanent crown. This is normally placed over your prepared tooth while you are waiting for a permanent crown to be made.

Provisional crowns are very important interim prostheses to evaluate the health of a tooth or teeth and the aesthetics of a crown or reconstruction before continuing with the final crown/s. It is preferable to allow for a few weeks to pass before the final crown/s is cemented in order to allow for an evaluation time to assess the vitality of a tooth especially when extensive fillings is removed or extensive decay was present in the restored tooth/teeth. Rushing to cement the final crown without allowing for the evaluation period to pass can often result in remaking the crown if root canal treatment becomes unavoidable.

When the final porcelain/ceramic crown comes back from the lab, it will be cemented or adhesively bonded to the tooth or teeth.

Bridges (also sometimes referred to as fixed partial dentures) are placed by placing crowns on the teeth on either side of the space of the missing teeth and attaching the false teeth to them. It does not only fill in the spaces of the missing teeth, but it also prevents other teeth from changing position.