If a tooth becomes damaged either by decay or as the result of an accident it may be possible that bacteria can penetrate the protective layer of enamel and cause an infection in the inner, sensitive part of the tooth. This could be the source of great pain and further dental complications, which could ultimately result in losing the tooth.

It may be possible to add further protection to the tooth and prevent bacteria infiltrating by filling the cavity with composite bonding, but if the damage is too large it will require a dental crown. Dental crowns cover all parts if the tooth that are exposed above the gum line. Traditionally they have been made from metal, ceramic or a combination of both. However, more and more patients are opting for ceramic porcelain crowns because of the superior visual appearance of porcelain. This is because porcelain bears a distinctive resemblance to tooth enamel and can be closely matched for colour.

The crown will be designed and manufactured by your London dentist either from dental moulds or using the latest digital x-ray technology. The crown will then be sculpted to fit your tooth perfectly and look similar to the other teeth. The dentist will then need to remove some of the enamel from the tooth so that the new crown can fit over it comfortably. It will then be cemented in place with dental bonding.

Dental crowns then protect the tooth from any further damage and the threat of nasty dental infection. Crowns are also used for several other reasons including after a root canal treatment and to support a dental bridge or other dental restoration.

It used to be the case that dental crowns had to have a base made of metal to act as a solid foundation, but with today’s improved technology crowns can be made of pure porcelain. This makes modern dental crowns appear very realistic and ideal for transforming the appearance of damaged or discoloured teeth.

Crowns can be used for a variety of dental repairs such as fillings and root canal treatments. The crown acts as a protective barrier against any further damage to the tooth once the repair has been carried out. In the past a metal foundation was needed to prevent crowns breaking when fixed in the mouth but modern porcelain is now strong enough to use without a metal base. This means that porcelain crowns not only keep teeth safe but they also look great. The extra strength of porcelain is enhanced by the use of tooth-coloured dental bonding to cement the crown over the teeth. This provides an extra layer of protection and keeps the crown firmly in place.

New technology available to London dentists also includes CEREC, a system that involves manufacturing crowns from a single piece of porcelain using computer-guided mills. This has improved the strength of crowns and significantly reduced the time needed for design and manufacture. A CEREC crown can be milled in only six minutes and fitted in the same appointment. For patients with badly damaged teeth it is now possible to completely transform the appearance of their smile in an afternoon with porcelain crowns.

A porcelain crown is a tooth-shaped and coloured cap that is placed over a broken or damaged tooth to restore its structural integrity and cosmetic appearance. When a porcelain crown is fixed it completely protects the portion of the tooth that protrudes above the gum line.

Crowns are required for many reasons in dentistry. If a tooth has been weakened either because of a chip, crack or break a crown can be used to place over the remaining tooth to protect it from further damage. The crown therefore prevents the need for removal of the tooth and carries out all its natural functions.

Dentists also use crowns to hold in place fillings required due to tooth decay or root canal procedures. This extra security provided by a crown can prevent the need for any future dental treatment.

Crowns can also be used for cosmetic reasons. Teeth that are worn or unevenly spaced can be covered with specially designed, incredibly thin crowns which provide the appearance of healthy and well sized teeth. These thin crowns are a result of the advances in dental technology and can even be designed with a translucent appearance similar to that of real enamel. Computer aided technology has also significantly reduced the time needed to manufacture and install a crown. Using the latest digital imaging and 3D technology a dentist can design and manufacture a crown, using a computer guided mill, in as little as six minutes from a single piece of porcelain. This is an astonishing improvement on the days or even weeks of laboratory construction.

Dental crowns also now require less preparation than previously needed. Because they can be manufactured accurately and still be thin, not as much enamel needs to be removed to fix them. If you are suffering from a damaged or discoloured tooth ask a London dentist about the latest technology in the world of porcelain crowns.

When a tooth is chipped, cracked or broken, either by a sporting injury or other accident, the dentist will first attempt to repair the damage using composite resin dental bonding. However, if the tooth is damaged too severely, to preserve the tooth, there is little option but to fit a porcelain crown. This involves constructing a porcelain copy of the tooth to cap the damaged one. Crowns are also known as caps or veneers for this reason. A porcelain crown can preserve the integrity of the broken tooth, which can help to preserve its functionality.

Crowns are not only used to repair damaged or broken teeth. Because of advances in their construction and appearance they are increasingly being used for cosmetic purposes. Patients with badly stained or discoloured teeth, spacing issues or worn down teeth can now have porcelain crowns fitted to restore their natural appearance.

In the past, crowns have been made from other materials and have often looked unrealistic or fake. They have also been very difficult to fabricate, often taking weeks of laboratory work. With the introduction of computer aided design and manufacture, porcelain crowns can now be designed, manufactured and fitted in one appointment with the dentist in as little as an hour. By using 3D imaging the dentist can create an extremely accurate crown which will be milled by the computer, according to the exact specifications, from a single piece of porcelain in under twenty minutes.

Further advances in crown technology have produced crowns that are incredibly thin, which still maintain their strength. Some crowns can be as thin as a contact lens and require minimum removal of enamel to fit, something that dentists have been reluctant to do in the past. Some new crowns are so thin they can even be fitted over existing dental work.

Porcelain crowns are very versatile dental appliances that thanks to improvements in dental technology can be an incredibly realistic substitute for a real tooth. Because they are made from porcelain they can be very strong and help to preserve a broken tooth that may very well have been lost in other circumstances. If you are suffering from a broken tooth, or any form of cosmetic problem that could benefit form veneers, ask your Central London dentist if they could be suitable for you.

Having one or more missing teeth can really affect your confidence to smile. More than that, it might be adversely affecting your bite (the way the top and bottom teeth sit together). In more extreme circumstances, it can cause speech impediments, increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay, and joint disorders such as TMJ.

It is also important to have missing teeth bridged to prevent existing teeth sliding into the space causing poor alignment and ultimately a poor profile. Dental also bridges protect against gum disease

One of the answers to missing teeth is a dental bridge. Dental bridges use artificial implants anchored to existing teeth to give the impression of a continued tooth line. The most common form of bridges are: the conventional bridge, where crowns are attached to teeth either side of the gap supporting the artificial tooth (like a bridge); the bonded bridge, when the adjacent teeth are in such good condition that the new tooth can be bonded to them with resin and metal strips; and the cantilevered bridge, when there are existing teeth on only one side of the gap. In the case of cantilevered bridges, the bridge will need to be attached to two or more teeth for stability.

Dental bridges can be fitted in two or visits to the dentist and if properly maintained will last between five and seven years. Their cost will vary according to the condition of the existing teeth and the type of bridge required by the patient. There is no need to suffer the embarrassment of missing teeth. Ask a London dentist about dental bridges.

Cosmetic dentistry is one field of dentistry which mainly focuses on your aesthetic appeal. If you want to perfect your smile or correct the alignment of your teeth cosmetic dentistry is the way to go. Your local dentist in London will be able to help you out here by suggesting the possible options that can be explored for your case.

Every individual is different from the other and so are his teeth. Hence, going for something your friend opted for might not be the perfect solution for you even if you two have the same ailment. Hence, it is pertinent that you visit your dentist who will be able to examine and suggest the best possible method that can be used. Dental bridges and implants are two of the most widely performed procedures in cosmetic dentistry.

The first time you visit the dentist; he checks your teeth and gums and then suggests what can be done. In the case of dental bridges, he has to prepare the surrounding teeth so that they are able to support the artificially modeled teeth. The dental bridge is used to hold the teeth perfectly where it is expected to and is more reliable than implants. The dentist prepares an exact replica of your teeth on a putty-like material which is used by a skilled lab technician to model the artificial teeth. This is very important since if the bridge is not proper, there are chances of cavities and tooth decay.

With proper oral care dental bridges are known to endure the wear and tear for several years and come very cheap when compared to implants.

Even though you may need dental crowns after a root canal, you may not realize that there are other times when you may also need to have them. For example, if you get a partial denture, you may need crowns installed on teeth that are used to anchor the bridge. Today, your London dentist can give you plenty of information about crowns that will be most suitable for different areas of your mouth.

Consider situation where you had a root canal on a molar. While you were fortunate enough to be able to have this tooth saved, it will still need some kind of permanent cove. In most cases, the material used for a molar crown will be different from what would be used for a front tooth. In particular, you may want a metal crown that has a porcelain coat. Since the molars take on an enormous amount of biting pressure, you may not want to have a resin crown installed in this area.

As you discuss various options with your dentist, you will want to consider cosmetic issues as well as durability and functionality. Without a question, a gold or silver crown on visible teeth will not be appealing, let alone flatter your smile. In some cases, you may even feel that it will not be appropriate to have a discoloured back molar. Even though it may cost a bit more to have a matching colour for a molar dental crown, you will find it worthwhile.

Typically, when you need dental crowns, you can have get a temporary one until you decide which material is most suitable for you. For example, if you have a root canal, your dentist will usually install a temporary crown in order to allow enough time for the gums to heal. That said, once there are no further risks of infection, you will need to make some decisions about which type of permanent crown material you want used to cover the tooth.

As you may be aware, any number of situations may make it necessary for you to have dental crowns. For example, if you had to have a tooth extracted, or if it was knocked out in some type of accident, dental crowns play a crucial role in restoring your dental wellness. Today, your London dentist can give you all of the procedures and treatments necessary to install dental crowns safely and reliably.

Consider a situation where you had to have a front tooth extracted. Chances are, you don’t want to walk around with a big gaping hole in the front of your mouth. If you receive a dental implant, you will also need to have a crown installed to cover the post. Depending on your interests, there are a number of materials available that can be used to create a dental crown.

If you are not concerned about the color of the tooth, you may want to have a metal crown installed. Even though they may not match the color of your other teeth, they are extremely durable. Interestingly enough, you may feel that a metallic colored tooth will lend more character to your appearance than a resin or porcelain tooth that blends in with other teeth. Depending on your budget, you may even decide to have a gold colored tooth.

Each year, thousands of people require some type of dental restoration. Regardless of whether you need dental crowns for cosmetic reasons or functional ones, your London dentist can meet all of your needs. As you learn more about the procedures and materials available, you may even be surprised to find that you can have a more beautiful and healthy smile than you ever dreamed possible. At the very least, you may find that having crowns installed will be a better option than having bridges and dentures.

Your City of London Dental Clinic now offers the new 3M^TM ESPE^TM Lava^TM Crown and Bridge system. It is a novel CAD/CAM technology using a zirconium oxide base. Lava crowns are considered the optimum in ceramic crowns and require the removal of less tooth structure for the crown preparations than porcelain fused to metal crowns. The Zirconia frameworks are colourable, thin, and translucent. This gives the Lava crowns their natural and fundamental appearance. They are also strong and biocompatible. The margins around these Lava crowns are very similar to porcelain fused to gold crowns. The final colour of the Lava crown is achieved by the baked-on ceramic layer. The crown preparations and cementations are very similar to other crown systems. The Lava crowns are very aesthetic crowns, and ideal for those patients concerned with a black line showing through the gum tissue.

Regular dental crowns usually take two dental visits to complete. This isn’t the case with Cerec crowns that are now being offered in London. Cerec crown fabrication uses an advanced technical system to make the crowns in a very short time. Your London dentist can make your Cerec crown in 60-90 minutes, and this will save you and your dentist valuable time. A temporary crown is not required, as the Cerec crown will be placed in a short time; before the dental anaesthesia wears off. Cerec crowns are also aesthetic and contain no metal. There are several very slight disadvantages to Cerec crowns including the difficulty in exact colour match, since they are made of standardized porcelain blocks with are milled using computer technology. They are best when used on the back teeth. Also, you need to make sure that your dentist is specially trained in this technology. Your London dentist has received the required training.