Dental Crowns
Natural-looking crowns that restore broken or weakened teeth to full strength.
Restore strength and beauty with a custom crown
A dental crown is a custom-made, tooth-shaped cap placed over a damaged or decayed tooth to restore its strength, size, shape, and appearance. Once cemented into place, it fully encases the visible portion of the tooth lying above the gum line.
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Why do you Need a Crown?
- Protect weak teeth: Prevents a cracked or deeply decayed tooth from breaking apart under bite pressure.
- Restore broken teeth: Rebuilds a tooth that has already suffered a severe fracture or advanced wear.
- Support large fillings: Covers a tooth when there is very little natural enamel left to hold a massive filling.
- Anchor dental bridges: Serves as the stable end caps that lock a bridge onto adjacent anchor teeth.
- Cover dental implants: Acts as the functional, visible tooth attached to an implanted titanium post.
- Hide cosmetic flaws: Disguises severely discoloured, misshapen, or poorly aligned teeth.
- Seal root canals: Protects a tooth from fracturing after its internal nerve and blood supply are removed.
What are crowns made of?
- Porcelain or Ceramic: Provides the most natural appearance by matching your surrounding tooth shade perfectly, making them ideal for front teeth.
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM): Combines the strength of a dark metal interior with a natural porcelain exterior, though a dark line can sometimes show at the gum line.
- Gold and Base Metal Alloys: Offers extreme durability and resists chipping or wearing down opposing teeth, making them highly effective for out-of-sight back molars.
- Zirconia: Delivers a highly durable, biocompatible, and fracture-resistant ceramic alternative that can withstand intense grinding forces.
- Stainless Steel Crowns: There are stock crowns and are not custom-fitted. They are often used to protect baby teeth, but can be used on some adult teeth due to their cost-effectiveness.
Comparison of Dental Crown Types
Crown Type | Appearance | Durability | Best For |
Porcelain / Ceramic | Very natural | Moderate | Front teeth |
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal | Natural look with strength | High | Front and back teeth |
Metal Crowns | Not tooth-coloured | Very high | Back teeth |
Stainless Steel Crowns | Not tooth colored | Low | Short-term or budget option |
What is the process of getting a crown?
Getting a dental crown typically requires two separate office visits spaced about two weeks apart.
- Numbing and preparation: Your dentist numbs the tooth and surrounding gums with a local anesthetic. They then shave down the top and sides of the tooth to create a stable base for the crown. If the tooth has severe decay or damage, the dentist may build it up with a filling material first to support the cap.
- Taking impressions: The clinical team takes a digital 3D scan or a physical mold of your prepared tooth and the surrounding bite. This data goes to a dental laboratory where technicians custom-craft your final crown.
- Placing the temporary crown: Because your natural enamel has been reduced, the dentist bonds a temporary acrylic crown over the tooth. This protects the sensitive structure and maintains your bite while the permanent crown is being fabricated.
- Final fitting and bonding: At your second appointment, the dentist removes the temporary crown and thoroughly cleans the area. They check the fit, shape, color, and bite alignment of your new custom crown before permanently cementing it into place.
How long do crowns last?
On average, a dental crown lasts between 10 and 15 years, though it is highly common for a well-maintained crown to successfully function for 20 to 30 years.
Because the crown material itself cannot decay, its overall lifespan depends entirely on the health of the underlying natural tooth structure and the surrounding gum tissue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some quick answers related to dental crowns.
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