DENTAL CROWNS (CAPS)

What are dental (tooth) crowns or caps?

Dental (tooth) crowns or caps are fixed prosthetic restorations which are used to reconstruct the crowns of the natural teeth.

When are dental crowns needed?

Indications for dental crowns include major tooth crown destructions (e.g. broken crowns, discoloration of endodontically treated teeth which are further weakened by large fillings, when aesthetically reshaping rotated or leaning teeth…) Apart from serving the aesthetic function, dental crowns restore the strength of the damaged teeth crowns, prevent their further destruction and restore their lost function.

How are dental crowns made?

Dental crowns are made in a dental laboratory from the impressions taken in a dental office. They can be made of metal-ceramics (metal base) or non-metal ceramics (non-metal base, i.e core) Ceramics is bonded to the base of the crown. After crowns are made in a dental lab, they are cemented over previously prepared teeth, core build-ups or dental implants which they cover as a ‘cap’.

Why do we prefer non-metal crowns?

Nowadays non-metal crowns are preferred due to their biocompatibility and aesthetic superiority. Non-metal crowns can also be made using computer technology (CAD/CAM) which gives high-precision results. Also, with non-metal crowns there are no ugly-looking black lines which can sometimes be seen in metal-ceramic crownsat the crown margin where the metal shines through. Also, there are no signs of corrosion and metal particles release. There are many types of non-metal crowns (Emax, zirconia, empress…) which differ according to their structure, features and manufacturing methods. Each type of crown has its own indications.

The procedure for making dental crowns:

1. After the initial examination and diagnostics to determine whether there are indications for dental crowns, an arrangement is made about the future work and then a work plan, appointment schedule and production timeline are organised.

4. The next step is drilling. Drilling means reducing the size of the tooth to make room for cementing on a ceramic crown to bring the tooth back into functional and aesthetic structure. During the same visit, the dentist will take the impressions of the current teeth condition and the aesthetically acceptable provisional restoration crowns will be made. The impressions are then sent to the dental lab where the dental crowns will be fabricated.
5. During the next visit, the dentist will place the crown to see whether it fits, and if the patient is satisfied, the crown will be cemented into place. If any adjustments are needed, the crown (crowns) is sent back to the dental lab and cemented on once the patient is completely satisfied with it.

How long does it take to produce a dental crown and how many visits to the dental office are required?

The whole procedure of fabricating a dental crown from drilling to cementing it into place usually takes about 10 days, but if necessary it can be done in 4-5 days.

During that period, 2-3 visits are required.

What to think about before making dental crowns?

Before you decide to get dental crowns, especially in the aesthetic zone of smile, we advise You to think about the desired colour of Your future dental work, as well as whether You want to achieve a greater aesthetic transformation. This is important because it affects the decision on the number of dental crowns needed, whether crowns should be combined with veneers and whether the remaining teeth need to be whitened.

If you suffer from some form of bruxism (teeth grinding, jaw clenching…) it is important to inform your dentist about it before getting dental crowns. After cementation, it will be necessary to make a night guard or a splint (here you can find out more about splints) that will protect Your teeth and crowns from damaging.

What to do after making dental crowns?

Immediately after cementation, it is not recommended to eat for an hour. When the anaesthetic wears off, You might feel soreness and thermal sensitivity (hot, cold). This sensitivity is normal and will disappear in about 1-2 weeks. It is important to maintain proper oral hygiene. A soft brush is recommeded which can be used to massage the gums without having to worry about damaging them. A few days after cementation, we recommended You pay more attention to Your gums (using Gengigel is advisable). Use floss. About a week after cementation, a check-up will be necessary which is extremely important to detect possible problems such as premature occlusal contacts when biting or sliding your teeth against each other, soft tissue response, persisting soreness and sensitivity, etc.

It is important to carefully follow the instructions given by Your dentist to make your crowns last longer.

What is the expected lifespan of a dental crown?

Dental crowns last between 5-15 years provided that you carefully follow the instructions of Your doctor of dental medicine. It also depends on the biological factor of your tissue (it depends on the state of the tooth underneath the crown, and the gum at the edge of the crown which is inevitably receding gradually over time). If you suffer from bruxism, make sure you wear mouth guards, avoid biting off and tearing hard food, do not bite nails, chew ice, pencils and other items.  Maintain proper oral hygiene on a daily basis and schedule check-ups at your doctor of dental medicine every 6-12 months.

Why choose to make dental crowns in OUR practice?

1. We have 17 years of experience in making dental crowns.

2. We try to make you feel comfortable and relaxed in our practice, without any fear.

3. We respect your wishes relating to the health and beauty of your future smile and try to fulfil them completely.

4. Our goal is to make your smile functional and aesthetically perfect.

5. Your dental crowns will be produced in a renowned dental laboratory and will be of outstanding quality and aesthetics.

6. The work in your mouth will be painless and safe, we will do our best to make it as comfortable as possible and our service as good.

7. The price of your dental crowns will include the local anaesthetics, temporary crowns and a check-up.  

8. Your „before and after“photos of dental crowns will be preserved.

9. At any moment we are available to you for advice and consultation via mobile phone, e-mail and social media.

10. We try to keep our appointments.

11. You can pay in cash, but also in interest free instalments: American Express up to 12 instalments, Diners up to 6 instalments, Erste & Steiermärkische bank Maestro and MasterCard up to 12 instalments.

12. There is free parking in front of the practice.

If we meet your criteria, feel free to contact us and make an appointment.

If these pages do not provide you with an answer to your question on dental crowns, dental health and dental services, feel free to contact us.

We are at your disposal!