A crown is an artificial restoration that fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth.

A crown is sometimes known as a ‘cap’. Crowns are an ideal restoration for teeth that have been broken or have been weakened by decay or a very large filling.

A dental crown could be used for a number of other reasons, for instance: you may have discoloured fillings and would like to improve the appearance of the tooth, you may have had a root filling which will need a crown to protect it or you may require a crown to help hold a bridge or denture firmly in place.

What is a crown made of?

Crowns can be made from a variety of materials. They can be metal (gold or silver colored), a combination of the metal with porcelain (tooth-colored), or made entirely of tooth-colored ceramic (such as E-max) for the most natural appearance.

We can discuss which options are available to you and what the benefits of those choices will be.

What happens when I have a crown?

All of our crowns are custom made for each individual case, by a highly skilled dental technician, to ensure an excellent fit and appearance.

Your dentist will discuss the treatment options with you, checking that you understand the procedure and answer any questions you may have.

Usually, you will need an up to date X-ray of your tooth/teeth to check that the roots are healthy and the foundations strong before preparing your tooth for a crown.

First appointment: Crown Preparation

Your dentist will carefully shape your tooth to allow space for the crown, this is usually done under local anesthetic.

We will take impressions of your teeth, choose a shade for your crown to match your existing teeth and finally provide you with a temporary crown to cover the prepared tooth.

Second appointment: Crown Fit

Roughly 2 weeks later, your temporary crown will be removed and replaced with your new crown.

Your dentist will ensure a good fit and appearance of the new crown, then cement or bond it into place using the appropriate material for your crown to ensure it lasts well.

We will also give you advice on how best to care for your crown over the years to come.

How long will my crown last?

Crowns typically last 10-15 years. There are a wide variety of factors that influence this, including:

• The strength of the underlying tooth.
• The health of the nerve within the tooth.
• The position of the tooth within the mouth.
• How much stress and strain a particular crown is put under.
• How well the crown is looked after.