Cracked, chipped or broken teeth can be a great source of pain as any kind of structural damage can affect the very sensitive dental nerve in the centre of the tooth. Likewise, a dental cavity that has not been treated will eventually penetrate to the soft and sensitive central part of the tooth and cause infection or pain. But there is a dental treatment specifically designed to protect teeth from this happening.
A dental crown is an artificial tooth cap that is fixed over the top of the damaged tooth protecting all parts of it exposed above the gum line. Usually made of porcelain, metal or a combination of both, dental crowns can last up to twenty years if properly cared for and act as barrier against pain, decay and infection.
In the last few years new technology has been developed that has improved the quality and appearance of crowns. Chair-side reconstruction now allows the dentist to design, manufacture and fit a dental crown in the same appointment using the very latest digital x-raying and computer-guided equipment.
The cost of a dental crown from a Bootle dentist will depend on the severity of the damage and the nature of the treatment you want to have. Porcelain crowns may be more expensive but they are better quality and will often last longer but there are many options available to you.
Fitting a crown may involve some enamel removal so that it can fit naturally in the mouth over the exiting tooth, but as crowns become thinner and stronger this may not always be the case. They are usually cemented in place with a composite resin bonding which is tooth coloured to add to the cosmetic appearance of the crown.