A dental crown is also known as a dental cap. This is a bespoke restoration that fits over a broken, rotten, or weakened tooth. When a natural tooth has extensive tooth decay, cracks, or has recently had a root canal, it won’t be strong enough to use a composite filling to reinforce it. A dental crown will help restore the tooth back to the correct size, shape, strength, appearance and will allow you to chew.

By knowing the different types of dental crowns available, the benefits, and how they are prepared you’ll be able to make an informed choice with your dentist.

1. What Is a Dental Crown and When Would You Need One?

A dental crown is a permanent cap that dentists permanently glue in place onto a prepared natural tooth or dental implant.

To Protect Weak Teeth

– A crown holds a cracked or rotten tooth together so it doesn’t crack when chewing.

To Repair Broken Teeth

– Crowns are used to build up worn, heavily chipped or broken teeth.

To Support Large Fillings

– When a tooth has lost most of its structure due to tooth decay a crown will provide a strong support.

To Cover Teeth After a Root Canal Treatment

  • Teeth that have undergone root canal treatments will lose moisture inside.

  • This will cause the teeth to become brittle.

  • A full coverage crown will cover the tooth to stop bacteria getting in and will give the tooth full strength.

To Support Dental Bridges

– Crowns are used to cover healthy teeth at the front and back of a gap to hold a fixed bridge in place.

To Replace Missing Teeth with Implants

– Crowns are used to cover an artificial titanium post of an implant.

To Improve the Appearance of Your Smile

– Porcelain or ceramic crowns are placed onto heavily discolored, misshapen, or crooked front teeth.

2. The Main Types of Dental Crowns

There are several high quality materials that can be used to create dental crowns.

Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns

  • These crowns are created using a metal thimble and covered in porcelain.

  • These are very strong and great for the back of your mouth, however some people may notice a dark line showing where the metal shows through near the gum line if their gums recede.

All Ceramic Crowns

  • These crowns will have the most natural color and are the best choice for front teeth.

  • As there is no metal in these crowns there will be no dark lines near the gums but they can be slightly more brittle for the back teeth.

Zircon Crowns

  • These crowns are made from a super strong ceramic material.

  • They won’t chip and can withstand lots of pressure from chewing.

  • Modern zircon is transparent and will not chip and will look very natural.

  • They can be used on the front and back of your mouth.

Metal or Gold Alloy Crowns

  • These crowns are made from gold, platinum or base metal alloys.

  • There isn’t much of your natural tooth taken away when preparing them.

  • They are very strong and won’t chip or break.

  • They also don’t cause much wear on the opposite teeth.

  • These are a great choice for back molars.

Resin Crowns

  • These crowns are a cheap option and will look like your natural teeth.

  • However they won’t last as long and are more likely to fracture than porcelain metal crowns.

  • They are mainly used for temporary crowns.

3. Benefits of Having a Dental Crown

Having a dental crown gives you instant benefits and will help to keep your natural smile for many years.

Protects Your Natural Tooth Roots

– The crown will cover your tooth and you won’t need to have it extracted.

Full Chewing Power

– Your worn or broken tooth will be restored and you’ll be able to eat hard, crunchy or sticky foods without any pain.

Improved Appearance

– Dentists will color, add translucency and shape your ceramic crown to match your natural teeth.

Prevent Teeth from Moving

– By filling the gaps and covering broken teeth your neighboring teeth won’t move.

Long Lasting

– High quality crowns made from zircon, porcelain or gold will last 10-15 years and more with good oral hygiene.

Reduce Any Tooth Pain

– Covering a cracked, broken or sensitive tooth will reduce any nerve pain.

4. How Are Dental Crowns Fitted?

Generally you will need to attend two appointments to get your bespoke crown. This will take 2-3 weeks however crowns can be made using CAD/CAM technology meaning they can be made in one day.

Examination and X-Ray

  • Your dentist will examine your tooth and surrounding gum.

  • They will also take some x-rays.

Local Anesthetic

  • A numbing cream will be applied.

  • Then a local anesthetic will be given.

Tooth Preparation

– Your dentist will cut away the damaged enamel and reshape your tooth.

Impressions

  • Your dentist will take an accurate 3D scan or impression of your tooth.

  • This will then be sent to a specialist dental lab.

Temporary Crown

– Your dentist will place a temporary crown made from acrylic onto your tooth with temporary cement.

Permanent Crown

  • At your second appointment your dentist will remove the temporary crown.

  • They will clean your tooth and check the crown fits, shape and color.

  • They will place your permanent crown onto your tooth with permanent cement.

5. Risks and Complications

Dental crowns have a high success rate. However you may experience some temporary side effects.

Sensitivity

– You may experience some sensitivity to hot or cold in the first few days after your crown has been cemented.

Cracked Porcelain

– Traditional porcelain crowns can crack if you bite into hard items such as ice, nuts or hard candy.

Crown Loosening

  • If your crown becomes loose due to the cement becoming worn or sticky foods.

  • If your crown becomes loose please contact your dentist.

Gum Irritation

  • You may experience some slight sensitivity around the gum line.

  • This will quickly go.

High Bite

  • If your crown is slightly high on your tooth you will feel pressure.

  • This can be resolved by your dentist in minutes.

6. Caring for Your Dental Crown

To care for your crown you will need to follow your usual oral hygiene routine but also take some extra precautions to prevent any decay under the crown.

Brush Twice a Day

  • Brush your teeth thoroughly for 2 minutes twice a day.

  • Use a soft bristle tooth brush and non-abrasive fluoride tooth paste.

  • Be sure to clean around the margin of your crown.

Floss Daily

  • Floss around your crowned tooth daily.

  • Use dental floss or inter-dental water floss.

Don’t Use Teeth as Tools

– Don’t use your crowned or natural teeth to tear open plastic, bite your nails or crack nut shells.

Night Guard

– If you suffer from grinding or clenching whilst sleeping ask your dentist to provide you with a bespoke night guard to protect your ceramic crowns.

Regular Check-Ups

– Attend your dental practice every 6 months for a professional clean and check-up.

7. Things to Remember When Having a Crown

  • Book a consultation to determine if you need a crown or simple filling for your damaged tooth.

  • Discuss with your dentist what type of crown you’d like. Depending on the position of the tooth and your budget you may want an all ceramic, zircon, or metal crown.

  • You will be fully numbed with local anesthetic.

  • Take care of your temporary crown. Don’t eat sticky, hard or chewy foods.

  • Floss around your temporary crown. Slide the floss out.

  • Book your second appointment. Your crown will be ready in 2-3 weeks.

  • If your final crown feels uneven please contact your dentist.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

A high quality crown will last 10-15 years. With good home oral hygiene, flossing daily, wearing a night guard and attending regular 6 monthly check-ups your crown will last 20 years or more. If it has been placed well and is made from zircon, porcelain or gold.

Is Having a Dental Crown Painful?

No. Local anesthetic is used to fully numb the tooth, gums and jaw. You may feel some slight sensitivity or tenderness in your gums for a few days. This can be treated with over the counter anti-inflammatory.

Can a Crowned Tooth Get a Cavity?

The crown cannot get a cavity but the natural tooth can. Plaque can build up around the margin of your crown. This can cause bacteria to get underneath and cause a cavity. If you don’t brush and floss daily.

What Do I Do If My Temporary Crown Comes Off?

Please contact your dental practice. If you cannot contact them straight away gently place the crown back onto your tooth with a small amount of over the counter temporary cement, toothpaste or denture glue.

Conclusion

Dental crowns are a great way to protect your damaged teeth. They will help to restore your natural chewing and keep your mouth healthy in the long term. Choosing the right material, working with your dentist to fit the crown and keeping your teeth clean by brushing and flossing daily will protect your investment and keep your teeth healthy and bright.