How long does it take to fit a crown?

dental crownA ‘crown’ is a cap that is fitted in top of an existing tooth to improve its overall appearance. Usually a crown is fitted if there has been a problem with the tooth, for example if it has become damaged, broken or discoloured. Unlike a filling, a crown covers the whole of the affected tooth and sits seamlessly along the gum line.

A crown is usually recommended if the problem is too significant to be fixed with a filling or another more superficial method of fixing the problem.

Fitting a crown is usually done over at least two separate appointments with your dentist:

  1. On the first visit the preparatory work is done, which can involve shaping the existing tooth so that it is ready to receive the crown. Once this is done your dentist will then take a mould of the tooth so that a crown can be made that fits it perfectly. The mould is taken by inserting a ‘putty’ into your mouth and taking an imprint of your tooth. It might feel a bit strange, but it is a quick process and the putty doesn’t have an unpleasant taste. You’ll often be given a temporary crown at this stage to wear while your permanent crown is being crafted.
  2. The second appointment is generally a minimum of two weeks after the initial one. This is because it takes time to create a perfect crown – it needs to be perfectly shaped and match the colour of your other teeth. If you and your dentist are happy with the look and feel of the permanent crown then this will be attached with strong adhesive (‘dental cement’). This cement is extremely hard wearing and (assuming it is looked after correctly and does not suffer a severe knock/impact) your crown will be attached for many years.

So overall, considering the longevity of a crown and the improvement that it can make to your smile, the process to have one fitted is pretty quick.

If you have a damaged tooth and feel that a crown would improve how confident you feel about your teeth, get in touch with the team here at CK Dental in Bristol and we can arrange an assessment for you. If other fixes are not suitable (fillings, cleansing, whitening etc) then we can arrange for you to be booked in to have a crown fitted.

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Understanding what ‘receding gums’ are and what to do about them

receding gumsGum disease takes various forms and is actually very common. Many people suffer with it – in fact some of these people won’t even realise that their gums are in need of attention. The term ‘receding gums’ refers to the condition whereby the roots of your teeth start to become visible instead of being neatly covered by your gums.

What causes receding gums?

Gum can begin to recede when you don’t look after your oral health well enough and plaque is allowed to build up on your teeth. Plaque is a breeding ground for bacteria, and it’s these bacteria that get into the gums and cause problems. Other factors that can contribute to this condition include overzealous tooth brushing, using a toothbrush that has very hard bristles, smoking, diabetes and hormonal changes (such as those that occur during pregnancy and the menopause). Some of these causes can be managed, others are much more challenging to address.

Knowing what to look out for

The tell-tale signs that your gums are receding are if your teeth begin to feel more sensitive than normal (although this can be symptomatic of various things) and also if your teeth begin to look a bit longer. If this is caught early and the symptoms are not too serious then it can be treated.

Here at CK Dental Practice in Bristol, we would recommend an intensive professional cleaning treatment as the first step to see if this alleviates the problem. In some instances, the gums may have become infected, and if this is the case there will also need to be a course of antibiotics to rid your gums of the infection.

In very serious, advanced cases, gum surgery may be required to help rectify the problem.

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