What is a crown?

A crown is an artificial cap that fits over a pre-prepared tooth. A cap strengthens your tooth with a natural shape, restoring your tooth to it’s previous natural condition.

Do I need a crown?

Crowns are perfect for chipped or broken teeth, or those that have deteriorated through decay or multiple fillings. A crown can also be fitted to cosmetically cover a discoloured tooth or filling. It can also be used to protect a tooth that has had treatment, or to hold bridges and dentures in place.

What is a crown made of?

Crowns can be made from a number of different composites and materials. Primarily crowns are made from porcelain bonded to a precious metal. A precious metal base is constructed and then porcelain is applied to it in layers.

Pure porcelain crowns are weaker than bonded crowns, but aesthetically they can look very natural. They are mostly used for front teeth.

Another metal free solution is an all-ceramic crown. They offer the strength of a bonded crown and the appearance of a porcelain crown. They can be used anywhere in the mouth.

Glass crowns look very natural and are used on front and back teeth.

Gold alloy crowns are the oldest of all crowns. They can be used with other metal alloys to increase strength, it a very hard wearing restoration. The crown can be coloured white or gold.

Crown preparation and fitting

Your Grove Road Dental Surgeon will prepare your tooth by shaping it to receive your new crown. Most of the outer surface of the tooth is removed and a strong pillar is left and shaped. The dentist will take an mould of the remaining tooth and some other comparable moulds to show your bite. These are given to the dental technician so she can prepare the crown in shape, size and colour.

How do you fit the crown?

The crown is fitted in two parts over two appointments. The first visit is for the preparation described above and for the fitting of a temporary crown. The second visit is where the new crown is fixed into place with special dental cement or adhesive. This forms a seal to hold the crown in place. There is normally a week or two between appointments.

How long will the crown last?

As long as you look after your crown they will last for many years. Your Grove Road Dentist will be able to advise you on care and the likely durability of your new crown.