Dental Crowns and Bridges in Northbridge

Dental Crowns in Northbridge Covering all of Sydney

A dental crown is a small cap that's custom made by our dentists to cover a damaged, weakened or misshapen tooth.

Crowns can also be chosen for cosmetic treatments, such as lengthening or reshaping a tooth. They may also be used as part of another dental treatment, such as restoring a tooth following root canal therapy, covering a dental implant or supporting a dental bridge on either side of the gap.

Made from strong materials, crowns are designed by our dentists to look and feel as close to natural teeth as possible. Unlike a removable denture, a crown is fixed in place and can't be removed.

Who needs a dental crown?

Our dentists might recommend a crown:

• to rebuild a chipped or worn tooth
• to protect a cracked or weakened tooth
• to change the size, shape or appearance of a tooth
• to restore a tooth following a dental procedure
• as an alternative to a filling if not enough tooth structure remains
• to anchor a dental bridge on either side
• to cover a dental implant

Types of Dental Crowns

At Sailors Bay Dentistry, we offer a range of different crown options depending on your needs and preferences.

Porcelain (ceramic) crowns

Porcelain or ceramic crowns are the closest match to natural tooth enamel, as they reflect light in a similar way. Your dentist will select a shade of porcelain that matches your tooth shade, or you can choose a lighter shade if you want to brighten your smile.

Porcelain crowns are recommended for teeth at the front of the mouth, where aesthetics are more important and the teeth won't be put under so much pressure.

Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns

A middle ground between metal and ceramic crowns, PFM crowns have a metal interior and a porcelain exterior. While this can make them appear darker in certain light conditions, the crown will be stronger and more resistant to damage.

PFM crowns can be used to cover any teeth in the mouth, although some people prefer the look of all-ceramic crowns for the front teeth.

Metal crowns

Traditionally, crowns were made from metal such as gold, which is very durable and longer lasting than other materials. Gold and stainless steel crowns are still available today, but they are less popular as most people prefer a more natural looking option.

These crowns can be used for any teeth in the mouth, but are best suited to the chewing teeth (molars).

Dental crown procedure

There are generally three steps to the dental crown procedure, depending on the type of crown you choose.

1. Preparing the tooth

If you choose dental crowns at our Northbridge clinic, our dentists will first need to prepare the tooth by removing some of the enamel. We'll then take a mould of the tooth that can be used to design your custom crown.

2. Manufacturing the crown

Traditional crowns are manufactured externally at a dental laboratory. This can take 2 weeks, during which time we'll provide a temporary crown to protect your tooth.

If you choose a CEREC same day crown, we can usually design and manufacture your crown during the same visit.

3. Placing the crown

When your crown is ready, we'll check that it feels and looks good in your mouth and make any minor adjustments before cementing it into place.

Dental Bridge Procedure at Sailors Bay in Northbridge

If you have one or more missing teeth, this can affect the appearance of your smile and cause other problems in your mouth. A dental bridge is one option to replace a missing tooth that's more permanent than a denture and involves less surgery than a dental implant.

A bridge is an artificial tooth or teeth that fills the gaps between remaining teeth to restore a healthy smile. These false teeth are usually attached to the surrounding teeth with crowns that slide into place on each side of the gap.

Who Needs a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge can replace a single tooth or several teeth in a row. Missing teeth in any part of the mouth can be replaced by a bridge, but if you're having teeth extracted, we recommend waiting for the gum to heal before a bridge is placed.

Unlike dentures, a bridge is fixed in place and can't be removed, and you won't usually need to modify your diet to avoid certain foods. You may be suitable for a dental bridge even if you're not a candidate for dental implants, as no oral surgery is involved.

Dental bridge procedure

Most dental bridge treatments also involve crowns and follow a similar three-step process.

1. Preparing the teeth for crowns

If your bridge will be supported by crowns fitted over the neighbouring teeth, your dentist will reduce these teeth in size before taking a mould of your mouth. This will be used to design your custom crowns and bridges.

2. Manufacturing the crowns and bridge

Traditional crowns and bridges will be manufactured at an external dental laboratory, which can take around two weeks. We'll place a temporary bridge and crowns to protect your teeth until your next visit.

CEREC all-ceramic crowns and bridges may be manufactured on-site during your appointment, so you won't have to wait.

3. Placing the crowns and bridge

When your bridge and crowns are ready, we'll check that they fit comfortably and bond them into place.

CEREC same day crowns and bridges

At Sailors Bay Dentistry, we offer CEREC CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) technology to design, make and fit your custom crown or bridge during a single visit. This avoids the long waiting times that can sometimes be involved while crowns and bridges are manufactured off-site and means you won't have to wear a temporary crown or bridge in-between visits.

If you choose a CEREC crown or bridge, our dentists will take a digital impression of your mouth that will be used to design your custom restorations using CEREC software. This design will then be sent to a milling machine in our clinic that manufactures your crown or bridge out of a block of ceramic, selected by our dentist to be the closest match to your natural tooth shade.

To find out more about CEREC same day crowns and bridges in Northbridge, call our team on (02) 9958 0400.

How long do crowns and bridges last?

Your crown or bridge's longevity will depend on the material used, but most will last for many years without having to be replaced.

A dental bridge or crown may lose its strength if the teeth and bones surrounding or supporting it become damaged due to oral decay or disease, so it's important to practice good oral hygiene and keep up with your regular dental check-ups.

What does a dental crown or dental bridge cost?

Dental crown costs in Sydney depend on the size and number of crowns you need and the material the crown is made from. A dental bridge normally involves placing one or more crowns over the neighbouring teeth as well as the bridge itself, so this will cost more.

We can give you a quote for crown and bridge costs during your consultation at our clinic. We can also discuss how health funds and payment plans could help to make your treatment more affordable.