Before	After
PLEASE NOTE: As with any dental procedure it is important to note that the before and after results shown will vary for each individual situation and you cannot expect equivalent or identical results to those portrayed in these photographs. Any material risks associated with your specific dental situation will be explained during your consultation at Enhance Dental. ©copyright

Crowns

When could my tooth need a crown (cap)?

The outside of each tooth is made of enamel, which is extremely hard. Although teeth are strong a crown may be recommended if there is:

1. Substantial Chips or broken teeth/fillings due to a fall or some other types of trauma.

2. Deep tooth decay may also severely weaken a tooth, with a high risk that the tooth may fall apart.

3. Root canal treatment, where the pulp of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels is removed, can also weaken a tooth.

4. Large fillings can often reduce a tooth's strength as shown below and eventually the tooth may break.

5. Severe tooth wear over time can dramatically reduce the size of a tooth and even expose the nerve.

6. Cosmetic needs may also be treated with crowns, improving tooth strength, function and will often enhance the overall health and appearance of your mouth.

7. Sometimes crooked teeth can be improved with crowns if orthodontic treatment such as braces/Invisalign or porcelain veneers are not suitable.

What does a crown (cap) do and what is it made of?

A crown fits over the existing natural crown, the part of the tooth seen above the gums.

Most crowns on front teeth are made of full porcelain, like veneers, and look almost the same as natural teeth. Porcelain crowns do not cause a black line at the gum level like traditional crowns may do that contain metal underneath. Porcelain crowns are often almost as strong as natural teeth and may be suitable if your old crowns require replacement on your front teeth. This type of crown is known as a 'Procera Crown' or 'Zirconia Crown.

Other types of crowns, particularly on the back teeth, contain a high gold alloy and have porcelain fused onto the gold alloy. Our advanced dental technician often can make this type of crown look very simmilar to natural tooth. On rare occasions gold* crowns are used when the back tooth is in a very heavy bite and clearance levels are minimal.

*The gold contains alloys to enhance its strength.

If a tooth has a large filling in it that takes up more than one third of the natural crown of the tooth then its strength may be substantially reduced. The risk of tooth fracture over time is increased and a crown or overlay restoration may be recommended as a preventative measure or soon after the tooth fractures.

Full porcelain crowns are made utilising the 'Procera System'

The 'Procera and Zirconia System' is one of the most technologically advanced methods of producing full porcelain crowns for front teeth that are almost as strong and lifelike as real teeth. Procera and Zirconia crowns are completely metal-free. This means Procera crowns do not have a flat, dull or opaque appearance, often do not appear dark near the gum line and there is no risk of metal allergy or allergies. Zirconia is one of the strongest ceramic materials used inside porcelain crowns in order to give your tooth the very high strength, durability and lifelike characteristics.

A model of a prepared tooth that requires a Procera or Zirconia crown is scanned on the scanner shown above and stored into a powerful computer. This computerised image is sent to Sweden and processed in the dental Mill. An extremely high strength, non-metal ceramic foundation (coping) is produced and sent back to the Australian Dental Laboratory. Special porcelain is then fired onto the foundation to create a very natural looking crown.

Procera type ceramics are also used for other applications such as implants for hip joints.

To date more than 1.5 million Procera crowns have been produced world wide.