Crowns
In many instances there is simply insufficient tooth substance to allow the direct placement of fillings or veneers to disguise cracked and discoloured teeth. Crowning of such a tooth maybe the only viable option, to allow function and maintain premier aesthetics. Crowns can hold together portions of a fractured tooth, support dental bridges to fill gaps created by missing teeth and provide longevity to heavily restored teeth. See our portfolio.

What is it?
A crown is custom made precision item that is cemented over your tooth or implant to completely cover it. Traditionally crowns have been described as metal or ceramic fused to metal. However, advancing technology has provided materials based on Zirconium. These materials are very strong and durable thus eliminating the requirement for a metal substructure for your crown. Ceramic crowns now are the gold standard in providing the ultimate aesthetic result.

Why are they used?
Crowns are prescribed as a part of a treatment to restore teeth that have:
• undergone root canal treatment
• severe tooth surface loss
• been heavily restored
• poor aesthetic appearance
• replace existing crowns with poor appearance.
A Smile Cliniq crown addresses both aesthetic and functional needs.

Procedure
Initial consultation, assessment and planning will occur with one of our dentists. All options appropriate to your case will be thoroughly discussed. Preoperative pictures and tooth shade will be taken and the process is initiated. Impressions maybe taken to allow our ceramist to provide a diagnostic wax up, this will physically allow you to visualise and approve the intended outcome.

A sufficient amount of tooth substance and appropriate "core" must be in place prior to provision of a crown. Once this has been established the process of crown preparation begins.

At your second visit the tooth to be crowned will be prepared. This occurs according to specifications required to provide a premier functional and aesthetic outcome. An impression will be taken of the tooth and sent to our ceramist along with your smile design and custom prescription. A temporary crown will be constructed, to provide you with an aesthetic, functional and protective provisional restoration. In the mean while our ceramist will follow your custom prescription to hand craft your crown.

The preparation procedure usually is a single visit of 60 minutes, however this maybe longer or involve multiple visits depending on extent, complexity and number of crowns.

At your final visit the provisional crown is carefully removed and your custom made crown tried in. A thorough quality control programme is initiated to ensure that you are about to receive a Smile Cliniq product of premier quality. You will be shown the crown at this try in stage. Once you confirm that you are pleased with the appearance and fit, your dentist will cement the crown to your tooth.

It is generally accepted that between 1 in 5 and 1 in 8 teeth crowned go on to become non-vital and require a root canal treatment.

Recall and Review
It may take a couple of days for you to become accustomed to your new crown. However, you will be invited to return a few weeks after the provision of your crown to review your oral health status, condition of crown and feed back of the cosmetic result. It is important to employ a strict oral hygiene regime encompassing professional hygiene intervention, as a crowned tooth is not protected from decay or gum disease. You will be shown the most appropriate method to ensure optimal oral health. As with any treatment regular recall and review is essential to ensure optimal status of your crown.

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