Dental Caps
Dental caps cover the entire visible surface of your affected tooth that is worn out, broken or cracked; the dental cap also adds strength, stability and durability to the affected tooth. A person may need to be fitted with dental caps if he/she is having tooth decay, improper bites or grinded teeth that contribute to the wearing down, cracking or breakage of the teeth. It is upon the dentist to confirm whether the patient is in need of dental caps.
Once the appointment has been set, the dentist will make an impression of your affected teeth/tooth after which a custom cap will be specifically made for your teeth, this takes place in the laboratory and the patient may have to leave with a temporary cap while the permanent one is being made, this usually takes a period of about two weeks. Upon the second and final visit to the cosmetic dentist, the permanent cap will be cemented to the tooth. Prior to placing of the cap, a filling must be put in place so as to avoid any loss of your original tooth structure.
There are mainly three types of caps, those made of gold, ceramic caps and ceramic-veneered gold caps. Gold and metal-ceramic caps are extremely durable and this is the reason why they are used where there is so much force applied in the mouth when chewing and biting. Ceramic caps are mostly used for front teeth because they resemble the natural teeth color and are more appealing to the eye. It is upon the cosmetic dentist to discuss with the patient on the best type of material to be used for the dental caps, the decision will be based upon the conditions of the patient together with the esthetic look and how it feels.
More than just adding strength to a weakened or worn out teeth, dental caps can last for a period of about ten to fifteen years depending on the patient’s oral hygiene and the situation of the gums. A good cosmetic dentist should offer after-care services to the patient as there may be setbacks that the patient should know how to handle. It should also be pointed out to the patient on the advantages and disadvantages of the materials used to make the dental caps.