Galway Dentists

What are Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are the ideal solution if you want to strengthen or beautify a weak or damaged tooth. The team at Galway Dentists have over 18 years of experience in providing dental crown restorations to patients with teeth that need more protection and reinforcement than fillings can provide.

Dental crowns are also used to hold a dental bridge in place, cover a dental implant or improve misshapen or discoloured teeth that can’t be whitened. The ideal dental crown procedure patient has:

Broken tooth
Cracked tooth
Severely worn down tooth
Large amount of tooth decay in a tooth
Dental crown and tooth

Dental Crowns Teens

Types of Dental Crowns

If you’re interested and are a candidate for dental crown installation, the following are several types. When you see us for your appointment, we’ll discuss the right kind based on your oral health needs and preferences.

Metal crowns

Metals like nickel, gold, chromium, and palladium, among other metals, are used to make dental crowns. Metal crowns are durable and hardly break. Among all kinds of dental crowns based on material, metal ones are the sturdiest to last the longest because they rarely chip and can deal with chewing and biting. Metal crowns don’t also require a large amount of enamel removal.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns

Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns feature porcelain’s natural blending ability with the appearance of your teeth and metal’s durability. PFM crowns are aesthetically pleasing and, at the same time, durable enough to last a long time. They can also help restore the front and back teeth and can last as long as metal crowns provided you care for them through maintaining good oral hygiene.

Pressed ceramic crowns

Dental crowns of this type are like the PFM, except the core is made of ceramic, not metal. These dental crowns are metal-free and can mimic the natural look of your tooth. They are typically for patients with allergies because gum contact happens through a ceramic structure.

All porcelain or all ceramic dental crowns

More than any other type of dental crowns, this type can mimic the tooth enamel’s natural appearance the most and is suitable for patients with metal allergies.

All-resin crowns

They’re more affordable than other dental crowns. However, they’re fragile and can break more easily than PFM crowns. More often, resin crowns are only used to manufacture temporary crowns and can last between three to five years on average.

What to expect

How are dental crowns installed?

At Galway Dentists, our esteemed practitioners are committed to restoring your smile with the utmost precision and care. The journey to a flawless dental crown begins with a thorough examination, where we utilise x-rays to assess the condition of your tooth and determine the necessity for a crown.

Preparation is critical, and our approach involves reshaping the original tooth to accommodate the crown. In cases where the tooth structure is compromised, we skillfully use filling material to rebuild it to the proper form. Next, an accurate impression of the prepared tooth and its neighbours is taken, ensuring the custom porcelain crown will fit seamlessly and maintain the integrity of your bite.

While your bespoke crown is being crafted in a specialised dental lab, we provide a temporary solution to protect your tooth. Dr O’Hagan takes extra care to select a porcelain shade that matches your natural teeth, ensuring your new crown looks indistinguishable from your teeth.

Once your porcelain crown is ready, you’ll return to our clinic for the final step. We’ll remove the temporary crown and securely cement your new, permanent crown in place, instantly enhancing your smile’s function and aesthetic.

To ensure the longevity of your new dental crown, we advocate for diligent oral hygiene. Regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental check-ups will help maintain the tooth’s health beneath the crown, keeping your smile bright and healthy for years to come.

What to expect after dental crown installation?

After the installation of your new dental crown, you’ve taken a significant step towards protecting and enhancing your smile. Your crown is designed to function like a natural tooth, safeguarding the integrity of the tooth structure beneath it. Here’s what you can generally expect following the procedure:

Numbness: Initially, the local anesthesia used during the procedure will cause your mouth to feel numb. It’s wise to avoid hot foods or beverages during this period to prevent burns or injury, as you might not have full sensation.
Sensitivity and Soreness: Once the anesthesia wears off, it’s common to experience some sensitivity and soreness around the affected tooth and gums. This discomfort is usually temporary and should subside within a few days to a few weeks. Over-the-counter pain medication can help manage any discomfort.
Eating Habits: In the first few days post-procedure, it’s advisable to stick to soft foods that require minimal chewing effort. Foods like mashed potatoes, soups, and smoothies can help prevent irritation and allow the crown and surrounding tissues to heal.
Resuming Normal Diet: As your mouth heals and the soreness diminishes, you can start to reintroduce your regular diet. Dental crowns are durable and designed to withstand the forces of biting and chewing, so you should be able to eat chewy meats, chips, and crackers without issue.

It’s important to maintain good oral hygiene practices to care for your crown and surrounding teeth. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups are essential to ensure the longevity of your dental restoration and overall oral health. If you experience prolonged discomfort, sensitivity, or any other concerns, be sure to consult with your dentist for a follow-up.

Galway Dentists

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Galway Dentists, your #1 choice Dental Clinic in Galway

Mon-Fri: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

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Benefits of dental crowns

Dental Crowns

Indeed, dental crowns are not just a cosmetic enhancement; they offer a multitude of functional benefits that contribute to your overall dental health and well-being. Here’s a more detailed look at the advantages of choosing a dental crown:

Mimics Natural Teeth: A crown is designed to function just like a natural tooth, restoring your ability to chew and speak properly. If you’re dealing with the inconvenience of a missing tooth, Galway Dentists can fit a crown that will seamlessly take over the role of your lost tooth.
Tooth Protection: A crown acts as a shield for damaged teeth—whether they’re chipped, cracked, or decayed—protecting them against further deterioration. With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, a crown can help preserve the underlying tooth for years.
Durability: Dental crowns are built to last. With proper care, they can remain in good condition for 15 years or more, making them a long-term solution for dental repair.
Stability: Unlike dentures, which may slip or cause discomfort, crowns are securely cemented or anchored onto existing teeth or implants, ensuring they stay in place at all times.
Aesthetic Match: With materials like composite resin and porcelain, crowns can be crafted to match the color and translucency of your natural teeth, blending in perfectly with your smile.
Stain Resistance: Porcelain crowns, in particular, are highly resistant to staining, which means they can maintain their color without the need for whitening treatments.
Improved Speech: Dental crowns can correct speech issues that may arise from missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures, allowing you to speak clearly and confidently.
Comfort: Since crowns are fixed and do not move, they offer a level of comfort comparable to that of your natural teeth, without the shifting that can occur with removable dentures.
Restorative Solution: Crowns are an effective treatment for saving teeth that have been compromised by infection or damage. After procedures like root canals, crowns provide a protective cap to prevent further issues.
Support for Bridgework: For those with one or more missing teeth, crowns can act as anchors for a dental bridge, providing a stable and secure framework for the replacement teeth.

At Galway Dentists, we are dedicated to ensuring that each crown is crafted and fitted with the highest level of precision and care, so you can enjoy all these benefits and a smile that you’re proud to show off.

Facts about Dental Crowns

Nevertheless, dental crowns offer many benefits to our patients with dental problems. They can protect worn-away teeth from further damage or after a root canal therapy, cover dental implants, and support a tooth badly damaged by decay, among others.

What to do if you experience problems with new dental crowns?

Let us know as soon as possible. If you feel prolonged pain, uncomfortable bite, or a loose-fitting crown, visit us at 6 Father Griffin Avenue, Galway, Co. Galway H91 ERP4. We’ll help address any issues you may have as soon as possible.

Can dental crowns prevent jawbone recession?

Dental crowns can indeed play a role in preventing jawbone recession. When a tooth is extracted, the absence of the tooth root can lead to the loss of stimulation to the jawbone, which can cause the bone to atrophy over time. This can affect the facial structure and lead to further dental issues. However, when a tooth is saved and restored with a crown, the natural root remains in place, continuing to provide the necessary stimulation to the jawbone and helping to maintain its integrity. It’s important to note that while crowns help maintain the tooth and its roots, they do not directly stimulate the jawbone; it’s the preserved natural tooth root that does this.

Providing Galway with Expert Dental Care over

8080

years

I visited Michael Donnelly here at this practice. I found he put me right at ease, as I was worried about going to the Dentist. I had not attended a Dentist in over a year. He went through the procedure very thoroughly and any questions I had throughout his explanation, he was happy to answer. Would highly recommend a visit to him.

Claire Cunningham
January 19, 2017
I've been going here since the start of September 2016, and I have to say it is one of the best dentists around. Very professional and friendly, as well as a relaxing atmosphere to the place, they have never let me down. The staff are delightful and Michael is an incredible dentist. Would recommend to anyone.

Matthew Ferson
January 19, 2018
I had a very pleasant experience at Galway Dentists, the receptionist was friendly and welcoming and the the dentist and her assistant were so professional and offered great advice. Thank you so much, I can't stop smiling with my shiny white teeth ????

Arthur Gray
January 19, 2022
Excellent and very professional dental care. Dentist put me at ease and talked me through the procedure. Would definitely recommend to others.

Ciara Mc Bride
January 19, 2016