Thornhill Dental Surgery    
4 Edge Lane    Thornhill   
Dewsbury     WF12 0QR
Tel    :    01924 439959
Fax   :    01924 467687

 

 

 

Crown/ Cap
A crown is a full coverage restoration whereby the entire clinical crown (the part of the tooth which is seen in the mouth) is covered. Usually made of porcelain over a metallic base, these will look and function like natural teeth.

There are many reasons a tooth may need a crown.

 

 

I. Root Canal - when a tooth has had a root canal , the nerve and blood supply to the tooth are replaced by gutta percha (a rubber type material). Now the tooth no longer has moisture on the inside and dries out on the inner aspects of the tooth. This will make it more brittle and less resistant to fracture. A post and core buildup will solidify the core of the tooth (where the dentist accesses the canal), and a crown is then placed over the entire tooth which will encase the structure and strengthen it.

II. Tooth Fracture - If a tooth fractures or is decayed to the point where there is not enough support to hold a filling, a crown can be used to hold the tooth together.

III. Aesthetics - If a tooth is misshapen, rotated or discoloured, a crown can be made to reshape, straighten the look, or change the color of the tooth.

Bridge - fixed
A fixed bridge can be made to replace a missing tooth or teeth by fabricating crowns for the abutment teeth and having them splinted to the replacement tooth or teeth.