Require dental crowns, bridges or implants? Shailer Park Dental can help.

Dental crowns are a more permanent solution to dental restorations and cosmetic dental needs. Dental crowns give extra strength to teeth that have been weakened by extensive fillings, repair broken/chipped teeth and for effective cosmetic improvement to misshapen/discoloured teeth.
At Shailer Park Dental we will undertake a comprehensive assessment of your teeth and discuss the restorative options that will provide the best solutions to your cosmetic and dental restorative needs. We are among Brisbane’s most experienced providers of dental implants and dental crowns. Our expertise in more extensive and permanent dental restorations means that we are more than able to help you restore your natural teeth to their former glory or to give you the dream smile you have always desired.

What are dental crowns?
Crowns are used to completely cover (cap) damaged teeth and fully encase all of the visible part of the tooth. A complete crown can also be placed over an implant to give the appearance of a real tooth. Crowns may be composed of a number of different materials. These include porcelain or ceramics, gold and metal alloys, resin, and acrylic. The different materials and methods available for forming crowns all have particular advantages and benefits. Choosing the right combination is based on us at Shailer Park Dental conducting a comprehensive assessment of you needs.

Why dental crowns?
Dental crowns are an effective solution when the structural integrity of a tooth has been severely compromised by root canal therapy, decay, trauma and large fillings. They are also a suitable, more permanent option for improving the cosmetic appearance of teeth as they are custom-made to fit the individual teeth. Gaps where teeth are missing can be closed with a combination of dental implants, bridges and crowns, so the function and beauty of your smile can be restored.

Why you might need dental crowns
There are many reasons why both adult and children might need dental crowns:

• To strengthen cracked or broken teeth by holding them together
• To support teeth that have had had root canals
• To support heavily restored or filled teeth that make up half the tooth or more
• To cover teeth that have parts missing, as in cracked tooth syndrome or broken cusps
• To restore vertical height for teeth that have been severely worn down. This is especially relevant for rehabilitation cases
• To cosmetically improve teeth that are misshaped or discoloured
• To provide a prosthetic for a dental implant, or support a dental bridge
• To save children’s teeth that are badly decayed, or as a preventative measure for those at a high risk of decay

While a traditional crown covers the entire tooth, your dentist may recommend the use of inlays or onlays for areas that only require partial coverage or where extensive work involved in fitting a full crown is not required. Partial crowns are a more conservative measure. We at Shailer Park Dental will provide you with complete advice and sound recommendations about which choice is appropriate to achieve the results you desire.

How we apply/fit dental crowns
In general, you will need two appointments to have dental crowns fitted. We will determine which materials and methods are most appropriate for your individual needs, and what results you can expect to see following the procedure. The cost of dental crowns is determined by a number of factors which we will thoroughly explain to you before your treatment begins. We may take x-rays of your teeth and the surrounding bone. If there is extensive decay or a risk of infection or further damage to the teeth, you may require a root canal treatment prior to receiving the crowns.

The 1st appointment:
This appointment involves examining and preparing your teeth for the crown/s. This involves reshaping the teeth in all 3 dimensions (top and sides) to make space for the crown to be placed. An impression of your teeth is taken for a laboratory customized mould to be made in order to manufacture your new crowns. You will have temporary crowns placed on your prepared teeth to retain your smile and function whilst your permanent crowns are fabricated.
The permanent crowns are then manufactured by Glass Class Ceramics and are usually received within a couple of weeks. Shailer Park Dental will advise you when it is time for your second appointment.

The 2nd appointment:
The temporary crowns are removed, relevant teeth cleaned, permanent crowns are checked to ensure that they fit and are comfortable in place. The crown/s are then fitted permanently to your teeth with specially designed cements and bonding agents. We will issue you advice and make recommendations on caring for your new crowns.

How to care for dental crowns
Dental crowns will last a long time, generally from 10-25 years. Please remember that your natural, unfilled teeth will always outlast anything man made.
Success depends on a number of factors such as:

• Proper oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing to prevent cavities
• Avoiding certain foods that are particularly sticky or hard, and have the potential to dislodge or break the crowns
• The amount of stress placed on them, through problems like grinding, clenching, and heavy biting and chewing
• Habits like biting your fingernails, or using your teeth for things other than eating (like opening packets!)

Shailer Park Dental can assist you in deciding if you do require dental implants, crowns, bridges or veneers. Call us any time to book an appointment, and we will give you the best advice and dental expertise available in Brisbane, so you can finally enjoy the full and beautiful smile you desire.