Dental crowns

• Strengthens remaining tooth structure.
• Natural-looking restoration.
• Functions like a real tooth, so you can bite and chew as usual.

A crown is a type of dental restoration used to fix teeth that have been broken, weakened by decay or contain a very large filling. Here is how it works:

1. An impression is taken of the tooth that needs restoring.
2. A crown is made in the dental laboratory to fit the tooth precisely and match the neighbouring teeth.
3. The tooth is then prepared and the crown fitted securely on top.

A crown could be a good solution for you if you have some discoloured fillings and would like to improve their appearance. Crowns can be used to replace these to give you a more appealing smile. Additionally, if you have had root canal treatment you will need a crown to protect or cap the restored tooth, allowing you to eat and bite down on it as if it was a real tooth. Crowns are also used to anchor a bridge or denture firmly in place in the mouth.

Dental bridges

When a tooth is seriously damaged and unsuitable for a direct placement filling then coverage with a crown or onlay is generally required. When planned and carried out correctly using a skilled technician it is possible to restore teeth, previously close to the point of being lost, to a condition almost as strong as a virgin tooth.

All crowns are not the same, there are currently over 20 different materials that dentists can choose from to make a crown. Each with different properties and cost.

The selection of the correct material depends on a number of variables:

• Tooth position and size.
• Stability of the bite.
• Desired final appearance.
• Strength required for final restoration.
• Your criteria.