Mt Gravatt
What is the difference between a dental cap and a dental crown? Is there actually a difference? If you’re hearing people talk about dental caps and crowns, and being confused about the difference, allow us to clear it up: they are the same thing.
There is no difference between a cap and a crown. For a long time, dental crowns were known as dental caps, so you may still hear the term ‘cap’ being used however most dentists today use the term ‘crown’ instead.
What Are Dental Caps/Crowns?
A dental crown or dental cap is a prosthetic that completely covers your tooth to fix broken or decayed teeth or teeth that have been worn down, chipped or damaged. Sometimes they can be used for aesthetic reasons too, even on teeth that are not damaged.
In cases when general fillings can’t fix the problems on your teeth, crowns can protect, cover and restore the shape of your teeth making them structurally stronger.
Crowns are also used in dental implant cases to replace missing teeth that have been lost due to disease, decay or an accident.
Why is a dental crown needed?
The main purpose of a crown is to restore strength, functionality, shape and size to a tooth, along with improving its appearance. This will not only enhance the look of the tooth, but will protect it from further wear and breakdown.
You might need a dental crown in the following situations:
● To protect a tooth that has become weakened (for example by decay) or cracked
● To replace an old, broken or failing tooth filling.
● To restore a tooth that has already broken
● To restore length on worn down teeth (for example from grinding)
● To cover and support a tooth that has a large filling if there isn’t much natural tooth structure left
● To make a cosmetic modification such as closing spaces between teeth, or reshaping or rotating teeth
● Crowns are used to hold dental bridges in place
● A crown is used to cover a dental implant
● A crown is recommended to restore strength to any tooth that has undergone root canal therapy
What are dental crowns made of?
Permanent crowns are available in many different materials. These materials can include gold, resin, porcelain, and zirconia. The most popular here are:
● Zirconia crowns: Zirconia crowns are made from zirconium dioxide, a very durable type of ceramic material known for its strength and durability. Zirconia is a good choice for back teeth considering how much force you exert on food as you chew with your back teeth.
● Porcelain crowns: These types of dental crowns provide the best natural colour match compared to any other crown type. They’re also a good choice if you have metal allergies. Porcelain crowns are a good choice for front teeth due to their high aesthetic quality.
What is involved in a dental crown procedure?
You will typically have two visits to your dentist to prepare for a dental crown.
The first visit
During the first visit, the tooth that’s going to receive the crown is examined and prepared. X-rays are taken of the tooth and the bone around it.
Your dentist will prepare the tooth for a crown. This involves removing any decay which may be in the tooth and reshaping the tooth so that there is room for the crown to fit over. The amount of tooth that gets filed away depends on the type of crown you are getting. At Fix Dental we use the best technology and materials available and thus the preparation of the tooth is kept at a minimal.
After reshaping the tooth, at Fix Dental we use modern digital technology to take a scan of the tooth so that the dental laboratory can fabricate the crown. Other dentists often use a paste or putty to make an imprint of you tooth however this is more prone to inaccuracies than digital scans.
The scan is sent to a dental laboratory who then makes the crown and returns it to your dentist’s office in around two to three weeks. During the first dentist visit, your dentist will make a temporary crown to cover and protect the prepared tooth while you’re waiting on the permanent crown.
The second visit
On the second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and check the fit and colour of the permanent crown is correct. If everything is okay, a local anaesthetic is used to numb the tooth area and the new crown is permanently cemented in place.
How long do dental crowns/caps last?
Dental crowns usually last between 5 and 15 years depending on the condition of the original tooth, the amount of wear and tear the crown is exposed to and also how well you follow oral hygiene practices and personal mouth care.
How much do dental crowns/caps cost?
At Fix Dental we offer two tiers of dental crowns so you can choose the best fit for your teeth.
Our standard crowns are perfect for your back teeth and premium crowns are perfect for your front teeth. The highest level are aesthetically crafted crowns which can be fitted to front or back teeth depending on your aesthetic needs.
Learn More
To learn more about dental caps/crowns, contact our friendly team to arrange a consultation appointment. Alternatively, you can use our free online booking system to book an appointment online.
You can also read more on our dental crowns information page.
Dentist Appointments In Brisbane
Book your next Brisbane dentist appointment online or call our friendly reception.
Fix Dental Chermside: 07 3520 4078.
Fix Dental Mount Gravatt: (07) 3520 4088
Afterpay, Zip, Humm & other interest-free payment plans available in both of our Brisbane dental clinics.