Dental Cap Treatment: A Patient’s Guide to Getting Your Smile Back

Why Would You Need a Dental Cap?

A crown is often recommended where a tooth has been weakened too much to be repaired with a filling. This may happen if there’s a big cavity a hole in the tooth. One common cause of a weak tooth is a crack or break in the tooth which can be made worse by chewing.

Your dentist may advise a crown following root canal treatment as the tooth may be weakened following this treatment. Crowns can also sometimes be used to improve the appearance of dental implants – but the procedure is slightly different.

What Happens During Dental Cap Treatment?

The First Appointment

Your dentist will examine the tooth and may take some x-rays to get an idea of what’s going on below the surface. The tooth is then shaped to allow a crown to fit over it comfortably. You’ll be given local anaesthetic to numb the tooth so you shouldn’t feel anything other than a gentle pressure.

An impression or scan is taken of the tooth and a crown is created, using this information so that it fits your mouth correctly. You’ll need to have a temporary crown fitted to cover the prepared tooth whilst you wait for the permanent crown to be made.

Getting the Permanent Crown

At your next appointment, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and make sure that the permanent one fits correctly. They’ll also check that the bite is comfortable and make any adjustments if necessary before fixing the crown in place.

Choosing the Right Crown and Caring for It

There are a number of materials available for crowns, so it’s worth discussing the pros and cons of each with your dentist to decide what suits you best. Crowns made from porcelain or ceramic can be used to good effect on front teeth as they can be made to look exactly like real teeth.

Crowns made from metal are very strong but not as esthetically pleasing. Porcelain fused to metal crowns offer a good balance between strength and a natural appearance.

Once fitted, crowns require just the same level of care as normal teeth, so keep brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth with floss every day.

You should take extra care to ensure that debris isn’t accumulating around the crown by brushing the area thoroughly, paying particular attention to the gum line.

Avoiding chewing on hard substances such as ice or biting your fingernails will help prevent the crown from cracking or chipping. If you notice that your crown feels uncomfortable or high in your bite or if your gums are tender you should see your dentist to have it adjusted.

What Should You Expect After Treatment?

It’s not uncommon to feel some discomfort or sensitivity after your crown is fitted and this is usually nothing to worry about. You might find that your gums are a little tender for a few days so take it easy for a while.

However, if you experience persistent or unrelenting pain, swelling or a crown that feels loose you should see your dentist.

A crown should last a number of years but it depends a lot on the type of crown and how well you care for it. If you’re a teeth grinder you should definitely ask about a night guard to help prolong the life of your crown. Teeth grinding can gradually wear down the crown’s surface rendering it unusable.

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