Dental Crowns in Calgary, AB
A dental crown, sometimes referred to as a “cap,” is a custom solution to reconstruct and restore a tooth’s shape, size, colour, and function. This restoration covers the entirety of the tooth all the way to the gum line and is fitted precisely to your exact measurements.
Crowns are placed for a number of reasons:
- Following a root canal therapy to reinforce a tooth
- To cover an implant
- To save a tooth that is broken or damaged
- To anchor another major restoration such as a bridge
- To build up a tooth that’s severely worn down
- As a cosmetic solution for a discoloured or misshapen tooth
- To protect a weak tooth from decay, cracking, or breaking
- As a cosmetic option based on patient preference
Common Types of Crowns in Calgary, AB
Depending on your individual needs, your dentist near you will recommend a certain style of crown. There are a handful of options to choose from, and what’s best for you will depend on considerations like function, material, aesthetics, and your overall treatment plan. These three types of crown are the most common:
Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) Crown
This is the most used style of crown and is noted for its durability and aesthetic finish. This hybrid has good mechanical function, making it as practical as it is blended in the mouth. PFMs are colour-matched to the shade of your other natural, surrounding teeth.
All-Ceramic Crown
These restorations can be made from different types of ceramic material, each with varying physical and aesthetic properties. All-ceramic crowns are the standard in terms of aesthetics and fit. At Sunridge Dental Clinic, costs are typically slightly higher. In terms of durability, an all-ceramic doesn’t quite offer the same as a metal-based solution but depending on the tooth’s location, that may not be of great concern.
Full-Gold Crown
Gold crowns offer a high degree of durability but aren’t as common as other options. While gold crowns tend to be less abrasive in the mouth and are noted for their longevity, they are a very visible restoration. Unlike PFM and all-ceramic alternatives, gold crowns are noticeable in the mouth and aren’t shade-matched to surrounding teeth. For this reason, gold restorations are usually placed on molars. Some patients, however, are interested in gold crowns precisely because they’re evident in the mouth and don’t mind the attention drawn to gold.
The Crown Process
Receiving a crown typically consists of 2 appointments with your dentist. In the first appointment, the tooth site is prepared for the crown to be placed. This involves treating, reducing, shaping, and reconstructing the core of the tooth so the crown will fit seamlessly and effectively. At this first appointment, your dentist will spend an hour to an hour and a half ensuring fit and security of the tooth against future risks. Your dentist will check for and remove any existing decay in the area, adjust precise amounts of tooth, and create a fine margin to structure the crown. Then, an impression of your tooth will be taken, and the dentist will take note of your natural tooth shade. Your case will be sent to our laboratory for the crown to be fabricated, and in the meantime, a temporary crown will be fitted on the tooth.
One week later, you’ll attend your second appointment. This visit is much shorter, usually thirty minutes, and it’s at this time, your permanent crown will be placed. The tooth site will be thoroughly cleaned before the final crown is cemented. Once inserted, the final crown will be checked for fit and comfort. Like with a filling, some minor adjustments might be made to make sure your biting surfaces align naturally and to check that function is proper.
Do you think a crown could be right for you? Book a consultation at Sunridge Dental Clinic with one of our dentists near you.