Crowns and Inlays

Crowns completely cover weak teeth over the gum line, and help to protect the tooth for the future. They’ll be made from porcelain or metal (or a combination of the two if extra strength is required). If you are having your dental work done by Quality Dental Fulham, please bear in mind that only metal crowns will be considered as necessary clinically for molar by the NHS.

An inlay, on the other hand, will cover a tooth which is missing some substance; either due to a fracture, decay, or a missing large filling which was in place beforehand. Inlays will not cover the whole tooth, and will often be recommended for taking the place of a large filling by your Quality Dental NHS Dentist Fulham dentist. Inlays are typically made of composite (a white plastic), or metal, porcelain or gold. From the perspective of the NHS, only metal inlays are deemed clinically necessary.

What can Quality Dental NHS Dentist Fulham do?

• Firstly, an injection will be given to numb the area. As such, hot drinks and food should be refrained from until the effects of this injection wear off.
• The tooth will be prepared and shaped, so that the crown or inlay will be the same size as a natural tooth. Your actual tooth will be reduced in shape and size.
• The preparation time is variable; it depends on how damaged the tooth is, and whether or not a filling is required first.
• It’s possible that removing the nerve (a root filling) will be necessary first. Crowns are sometimes fixed in place with a peg in the root canal, but only if much of the tooth is missing.
• Your NHS Fulham dentist will make an impression of the tooth and surrounding teeth, using a soft, moldable material. Your dental technician will then use this impression to make a fitting crown or inlay.
• Sometimes, your dentist will use a thin cord to keep the gum away from the tooth. This is in order to achieve an accurate impression when it comes to the edges of the teeth.
• Before the permanent crown is fixed, a temporary crown (made from metal, plastic or acrylic) will be fitted first. These can be chewed upon, but please bear in mind these won’t be as strong as the finished product. As such, it may come off. Should this happen, please return to Quality Dental Fulham to have the temporary crown refitted, as this is an important part of the process.
• In the tooth that’s due to have an inlay, a temporary filling will be put in. This isn’t as strong as the completed inlay, and may come loose (please see the information above).
• If you cannot book or keep the fitting appointment within four weeks, there is no guarantee that the final crown or inlay will fit correctly. If this occurs, a new course of treatment will be charged in full.
• Small adjustments will be made by your dentist to ensure you are able to bite with ease. You will be able to try on the crown or inlay before having it glued in place, to ensure a comfortable fit.

What benefits do crowns/inlays bring?

• Crowns look exactly like real teeth, and have the benefit of being strong. Your dentist will match their colour and shape to fit the other teeth in your mouth.
• Inlays are more durable than fillings.
• Inlays look better than fillings.
• Crowns are very durable; they can last many years if the tooth beneath is strong. You can lengthen their lifespan by looking after your mouth, and ensuring the crown isn’t damaged in any way.
• A crown will improve the appearance of discoloured, badly-shaped teeth.

Are there any disadvantages?

• Newly crowned teeth may be sensitive to extremes of hot and cold. If this persists, root canal treatment may be necessary.
• Gum recession around crowned teeth can expose a fine metal line. However, good oral health can reduce the progress of this issue. Once a tooth is crowned, a crown will always be necessary on that particular tooth.