Correct gaps and discolouration with our realistic dental crowns on the Central Coast.
The leading dentists for reliable and realistic dental crowns in Lake Haven
Concerned you might need dental crowns in Lake Haven? Advance Family Dental is your number one choice for dental crowns in Lake Haven — we have the experience, skills and technology to create crowns that protect, rebuild or replace damaged teeth and improve the cosmetic appearance of your smile.
Our crowns are designed to maintain the natural structural integrity of your teeth, improve the structure of your profile and ensure both good bite strength and pain-free chewing.
If you’re experiencing any pain or discomfort while chewing, book a consultation with the professional team from Advance Family Dental. We can diagnose the problem and if necessary, we can have natural-looking crowns made to match the shape and colour of your existing teeth.
What are dental crowns?
Dental crowns — also known as caps — are used to cover your tooth down to the gum line and are used to protect and restore the structure of teeth that have suffered significant decay or other trauma.
Crowns can be made from a combination of metal alloys and porcelain, or ceramic crowns provide a completely metal-free alternative and offer the best cosmetic properties.
Why do I need dental crowns?
Dental crowns are required to cover broken or decayed teeth when too much of the original tooth is missing (sometimes crowns are required after root canal treatment). Crowns can also be used to protect a weak tooth from breaking or to cover a stained tooth.
Upon placement, dental crowns immediately provide support for damaged teeth. They will also prevent further damage from occurring and prevent the mouth from adapting to the damaged tooth/teeth. This can lead to misalignments or a bite that is not quite aligned or spreading damage to the surrounding teeth.
What does the procedure involve?
Installing crowns is a straightforward treatment and generally requires two appointments. In your first appointment, we will prepare the tooth by removing a layer of the outer surface. To make the crown, we will then take an impression of your tooth/teeth and send the impressions to our state-of-the-art laboratory. The crown will be made to the same thickness as the removed layer of your tooth.
We will match your new crown/crowns to the colour of your other teeth so they will blend in perfectly with your natural smile.
Our dentists will provide a temporary crown or bridge while you wait for the custom construction of your permanent crown. When the permanent crown is ready, we will invite you back for your second appointment and your dentist will fit it into place using dental cement or adhesive.
Pros and cons of dental crowns in Lake Haven
Crowns are designed to protect teeth that have been weakened or broken — but they can also be used to improve the appearance of stained teeth from coffee, tea, red wine and other dark drinks and foods. Crowns are an excellent solution to tooth damage because they cannot decay and can last for many years if they are cared for properly.
Of course, with every upside comes a downside. Crowns can break or fall off if they aren’t properly cared for — perhaps the cement doesn’t hold or the tooth under the crown has continued to decay.
Regular cleaning, x-rays and check-ups can prevent any further damage to the underlying tooth.
How to care for your dental crowns
You should always treat your dental crowns like your natural teeth. While the crown itself cannot decay, the edge of the tooth that the crown sits on can — with this in mind, we recommend maintaining your regular dental hygiene habits i.e. brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste (2 – 3 times per day), flossing (at least once a day) and rinsing your mouth out with mouthwash (morning and night).
FAQs about dental crowns in Lake Haven
What are dental crowns made of?
For the most part, dental crowns in Lake Haven are made from ceramic materials like porcelain (this matches the natural colour of your remaining teeth).
However, sometimes we may use a porcelain cap fused to a metal crown — the metal construction will give additional strength to the tooth and provide a good seal against decay and leakage. The addition of the porcelain cap will also provide a stronger restoration than porcelain alone and ensure the crown matches your remaining teeth.
Gold and stainless steel crowns are a lot less common than they used to be, despite being extremely durable. They do not have the best cosmetic appearance, which is why most patients opt for ceramic materials.Why are they called crowns?
They are called crowns because they fit over the top of your damaged tooth like a “crown”. Dental crowns are also sometimes called “caps”. Think of a crown as a protective helmet or hat for your damaged tooth.
How long do dental crowns last?
Porcelain crowns usually last around 15 years with proper care and maintenance but it’s not uncommon for crowns to last more than 20 years. In terms of strength, the ceramic materials we use are very similar to the natural enamel of your teeth, so you can expect your crowns to last for a very long time.
Are there alternatives to dental crowns?
Yes! If your concerns are related to the aesthetic appearance of your teeth, veneers might be an appropriate solution. Veneers are a thin layer of tooth-coloured material that is fixed to the front of your teeth.
Alternatively, if your tooth is chipped, your dentist might also recommend rebuilding the tooth structure using filling materials. If you are opposed to crowns, please consult your dentist — we will provide recommendations and advice to ensure you’re happy with your dental treatment.
Do crowns hurt?
No! When we are preparing your tooth/teeth or placing the crowns on your tooth/teeth, we will numb your mouth to ensure you don’t feel any discomfort. If you are particularly nervous about having crowns applied to your teeth, ask us about sedation dentistry. We want to ensure you are completely calm and comfortable throughout your treatment.
Sedation dentistry (or “happy gas”) will calm your anxiety and once the gas is turned off, you will quickly be up and about — you can even drive yourself home safely after a prescribed time period.How long does it take to recover after getting crowns?
There’s no “down-time” after having your crowns placed. It’s a very simple and painless procedure — you can get back to your day immediately after the procedure without having to take time off work or adjusting your schedule.
Are crowns needed after root canal treatment?
After root canal treatment, the structural integrity of your tooth has been weakened. For the most part, it is necessary to have a crown placed on the weakened tooth to ensure you can bite and eat all foods comfortably. The sheer force of your bite can crack a root canal treated tooth — with this in mind, we will most likely apply a dental crown to your tooth.
Can crowns be damaged?
Crowns, like natural teeth, are susceptible to damage. While they’re meant to last for up to 15 years (or more), they can be damaged in this time. For example, an improper bite can put additional pressure on your crown causing it to fracture, chip or move. Likewise, injuries and teeth grinding can cause your crowns to crack.
If your crown is cracked, damaged or falls off altogether, you should call your dentist right away. If you still have the original crown, it can be repaired and cemented back into place. If you have lost the crown altogether, we can create a new crown to place over the top of the damaged tooth (a temporary crown can be provided in the meantime).
Your dentist will most likely want to see you within 24 to 48 hours of the damage/removal of the crown. We have emergency dental services available — simply give us a call on (02) 4392 9911.
Contact us for professional dental crowns in Lake Haven today
If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort, please get in touch with Advance Family Dental for a consultation. We can diagnose the problem and determine whether you need dental crowns in our Lake Haven practice.
Contact us to book a consultation today — conveniently located outside of Lake Haven Shopping Centre, we offer weekend appointments and late afternoon appointments to ensure you get the dental treatment you need.