Perhaps your dentist has suggested that you need a crown and having gone home and considered the cost implications, you’re unsure about going ahead with treatment. As a busy dentist we regularly use crowns in Bournemouth patients to restore badly failing teeth, so we though we’d take this opportunity to discuss the whys and wherefores of crowns to shed a little more clarity on the treatment.

Reasons why a dental crown may be necessary

• To reinforce a weak tooth which is badly decayed or fractured
• To replace a previous large filling which is covering half of the width of the tooth or more
• Following root canal treatment which has left the tooth hollow and susceptible to cracking
• Fractures inside the tooth which are causing pain when you bite and chew
• Excessive wear especially if you grind your teeth
• To improve the appearance of an unsightly tooth
• In conjunction with other treatments such as dental implants where a crown is placed on top of a dental implant to replace a missing tooth. Alternatively missing teeth may be replaced with dental bridges that are composed of crowns fitted on the teeth either side of the gap and attached to false teeth in the middle.

Crowns in Bournemouth – your alternatives

If you’re having dental implants or a bridge fitted then there is no alternative to crowns. Quite simply they’re an essential part of both treatments. If, on the other hand, the crown is to protect a weakened tooth, then you have the following options:

• Do absolutely nothing – If your tooth has been held together by a large filling and a small piece of tooth for several years then you may want to adopt the old adage of “if it ain’t broke then don’t fix it.” Sometimes removing a filling can create more problems than are solved and lead to other problems down the line such as needing a root canal and a crown. This could eventually happen anyway but that’s a chance you take.

• An inlay or onlay – If the tooth is not quite at the point where it needs a crown but too badly damaged for a filling, then an inlay or onlay could be an option. This requires less preparation than for a crown and allows you to retain more of the tooth structure. An impression of the prepared tooth is taken and sent to the laboratory for a custom inlay or onlay to be made. Tooth coloured, it’s cemented into place and gives a seamless and natural appearance.

• Extraction – If the long term prognosis for the tooth is not good, then you may decide to opt for a dental implant.

As you can see there are numerous reasons for crowns in Bournemouth and 9 times out of 10, if your dentist says you need a crown, then he’s right. If you feel you need a second opinion, then why not get in touch with Queens Park Dental by calling 01202 303322 or contact us via our website at www.queensparkdental.co.uk. We use the latest in technology and aim to meet your dental needs, including dental emergencies, now as well as in the future and together we can discuss your best options. We’re a Bournemouth dentist that really cares, so call us today.

A dental crown is often the choice of restoration for a tooth that has been badly damaged by decay or trauma where a filling just won’t do. It’s shaped to resemble a tooth and matched in colour and size to your other teeth to give a seamless appearance. More importantly, it’s a replacement for a tooth and as such needs to be strong and durable and fit for the purpose. Most people expect their crowns in Bournemouth or any other town or city, to last for at least 10 years; so what sort of materials are capable of lasting that long and work well?

Metal

Crowns used to be made exclusively from metals such as gold, nickel and palladium and as such metal is the ideal material for a crown. The reason being that not so much of the natural tooth has to be removed and because metal is so hard wearing, it lasts for a long time. The downside is that they don’t look particularly attractive.

Porcelain and metal

This is one of the most common choices for a dental crown, especially if it is to be used towards the back of the mouth, where you need strength, but you also want it to look good; well on the top at least. It wears more than an all metal crown but in a way it provides the best of both worlds, by looking good and being strong.

Resin

Just occasionally resin may be chosen as the material for a crown because it is cheaper. However, most people don’t choose this type of crown because the price reflects its quality and they are more prone to fractures and wear down quickly.

Porcelain/ceramic

From an aesthetic point of view these types of crown are the most visually appealing and are commonly used for front teeth. They look amazing since their translucent properties make them look very similar to real teeth, but because they don’t contain any metal they’re not that strong. Fortunately front teeth don’t involve too much pressure being put on the crown and this non-metal option gives teeth a lovely white colour without any tell-tale shadow from the metal.

Zirconia

These crowns are the newest additions to the dental industry and are usually constructed using digital techniques in a laboratory. Zirconia is exceptionally strong and offers good resilience to wear and tear. It also looks good with a translucence that makes for a very natural looking tooth. It’s bio-compatible and contains no metal, which makes it the very best choice if your Bournemouth dentist offers it and you can afford the price tag that accompanies it.

If you have a damaged tooth then we can help restore it. Why not contact Queens Park Dental on 01202 303322 to book a consultation or contact us via our website at www.queensparkdental.co.uk where we can take a look and discuss your best options. In a dental emergency, please contact us straight away. Besides crowns in Bournemouth we also offer other tooth restoration options including dental implants.