Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. It fully encases the visible portion of the tooth above the gum line once it’s cemented into place.

There are several reasons why a dental crown might be needed:

• To Protect a Weak Tooth: A tooth that has been weakened by severe decay, large fillings, or root canal treatment may require a crown to provide support and prevent further damage.
• To Restore a Broken or Worn Down Tooth: Teeth that are cracked, fractured, or extensively worn down can be restored with a crown to rebuild their structure and functionality.
• To Cover a Large Filling: If a tooth has a large filling and not much natural tooth structure remaining, a crown can help to hold the tooth together and prevent the filling from fracturing.
• To Improve the Appearance of a Tooth: Crowns can be used for cosmetic purposes to cover misshapen or severely discoloured teeth, enhancing the overall appearance of the smile.
• To Support a Dental Bridge: Dental crowns are used as abutments (anchors) to support a dental bridge, which replaces one or more missing teeth.
• To Cover a Dental Implant: Dental implants, which replace missing teeth, are often topped with a crown to function and appear like a natural tooth.

Dental crowns are custom-made to match the shape, size, and colour of your natural teeth, providing a durable and long-lasting solution to restore dental health and aesthetics.

Dental crowns can be made from various materials, each offering different benefits in terms of durability, aesthetics, and suitability for different dental needs. The most common materials used for dental crowns include:

• Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM): These crowns consist of a metal base (typically made of high-noble metals like gold or a non-precious metal alloy) covered with porcelain. They provide a strong, durable option with natural-looking aesthetics due to the porcelain outer layer.
• All-Ceramic or All-Porcelain: These crowns are made entirely of ceramic or porcelain material, making them highly aesthetic and suitable for front teeth where natural appearance is important. They can be matched to the colour of adjacent teeth for a seamless blend.
• Zirconia: Zirconia crowns are known for their strength and durability, making them suitable for both front and back teeth. They are highly resistant to wear and fracture and can be colour-matched to natural teeth.
• Metal Crowns: Crowns made of metals such as gold alloy or other base metal alloys (like nickel-chromium) are extremely durable and less prone to wear. They are often used for molars where strength and function are crucial.
• Composite Resin: These crowns are made from a tooth-coloured composite resin material and are primarily used for temporary crowns or as a cost-effective option in certain situations.

The choice of material for a dental crown depends on factors such as the location of the tooth, the extent of damage, aesthetic considerations, and the patient’s oral health needs. Our practitioners will recommend the most appropriate type of crown based on these factors to ensure optimal function and appearance.