Dental Crowns

dental crowns

About the treatment

Crowns (often known as caps) are an ideal way to rebuild teeth which have been broken, or have been weakened by decay, very large filling or root canal treatment. The crown fits right over the remaining part of the tooth, reducing splaying of the teeth and making it strong; giving it the shape and contour of a natural tooth. Crowns are often made if tooth coloured material for improved aesthetics but gold and other metals are also often used.

You may need a crown if:

  • The tooth may have been weakened by having a very large filling
  • You may have large 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
  • You may have had an accident and damaged the tooth
  • It may help hold a conventional bridge or denture firmly in place

Further Information

Crowns are made of a variety of materials and new materials are being introduced all the time. Here are some of the options available at present:

  • Porcelain bonded to metal, white in colour. Porcelain applied over base metal.
  • All porcelain/ceramic not quite as strong but look very natural and fantastic for front teeth.
  • Porcelain bonded to Zirconia strong and metal free so highly aesthetic.
  • Metal only very strong and hard wearing, less tooth drilling needed but compromised aesthetically so used mainly at the back of the mouth.
  • All Zirconia tooth-coloured and also very strong and hard wearing, minimum tooth drilling (similar to metal).

Treatment Time

1

A dental crown/bridge requires at least two visits to the dentist to complete the treatment.

2

The first appointment your dentist will prepare (make the tooth smaller to allow space for the crown/bridge to fit), the dentist may also need to numb the area. We then will take an impression/3D scan of the area where the crown will be fitted and will take a note of the shade of your natural teeth to match the crown to your teeth, you will also be fitted with a temporary crown during this visit until your permanent one is complete.

3

The impression/scan will then be sent to our dental laboratory where our trusted dental technicians will create the crown/bridge.

4

During your second visit, usually 2 weeks after your initial appointment, your permanent crown/bridge will be fitted by the dentist.