GENERAL DENTISTRY
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are very useful to restore decayed, chipped or cracked teeth and crowns can improve the strength and appearance of teeth! They are definitely beneficial to the ongoing health of a tooth. It is important that after your crowns are placed that you maintain regular 6 monthly dental check ups, so that our dentists can assess and fix any problems with the supporting tooth of a crown at an early stage. We want to keep your teeth as healthy as possible to improve your general smile.
Restoring a tooth with crown requires two separate appointments. During the first appointment the dentist will shape and adjust the tooth to allow enough space for a crown and at the same appointment dental impression is taken which will be sent to the dental laboratory. Once the dental technician receives the impression a crown is fabricated with strong restorative materials into the right size, shape and colour. All crowns are sent to local WA dental laboratories using materials that are TGA approved.
The second appointment usually takes place around 2 weeks after the first appointment and it involves the cementation of the finished crown.
Choosing Your Crown Material
We offer a few different crown materials, and which one suits you best depends on the tooth being restored and what matters most to you:
- Zirconia: Our most durable option, ideal for back teeth that take the most bite force. Still a natural-looking result.
- Porcelain: The most natural, translucent appearance, so it's a popular choice for front teeth. Slightly less impact-resistant than zirconia.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal: A strong, more affordable option. The metal base can occasionally show as a thin dark line at the gum if your gums recede over time.
- Gold alloy: Extremely hard-wearing and gentle on opposing teeth, mainly used for back molars where appearance matters less.
We'll talk you through which material fits your situation, budget, and the tooth being treated at your consultation.
What Happens When You Get a Crown
Getting a crown at Stirling Street Dental usually takes two visits, about two weeks apart:
- First visit: we numb the area, shape the tooth to make room for the crown, and take an impression or digital scan. You'll leave with a temporary crown to protect the tooth in the meantime.
- In between: your custom crown is made by a local WA dental laboratory, using TGA-approved materials.
- Second visit: we remove the temporary crown, check the fit, shape, and bite of your new crown, then cement it permanently in place.
Once fitted, your crown is looked after just like a natural tooth - regular brushing, flossing, and keeping up with your 6-monthly check-ups.
Meet Your Dentist
Want your crown placed by an experienced local dentist? Dr Quincy Leung has been practising dentistry in Perth for over 20 years since graduating from the University of Western Australia in 2004, with postgraduate qualifications in dental implantology and orthodontics, and is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and a member of the Australian Dental Association.
Book your consultation with Dr Quincy Leung today.
Frequently Asked Questions
A crown can last for many years if it's looked after properly. Exactly how long depends on the material you choose and how well you care for it - regular brushing, flossing, and keeping up with your 6-monthly check-ups so we can catch any issues early.
It's uncommon, but a crown can come loose, chip, crack, or in rare cases fall off. The crown itself can't decay, but the tooth underneath it still can, so gum irritation or decay around the edge is usually the real cause. If your crown ever feels loose or uncomfortable, call us and we'll get you in to have it checked.
Not necessarily. While a crown is often placed after root canal treatment to protect the tooth, we also recommend crowns for a broken or cracked tooth, a badly decayed tooth that's too weak for a filling alone, or for cosmetic reasons. We'll let you know which situation applies to you at your consultation.
A crown covers the whole visible part of the tooth and is used to restore strength after damage or decay. A veneer is a thin shell bonded to just the front surface, mainly for improving the appearance of an otherwise healthy tooth.
We offer both at Stirling Street Dental - see our dental veneers page for more detail, or we'll help you work out which one fits your situation.
REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT WITH US TODAY!
