Q What are crowns made of?

Crowns are made of a variety of materials and new materials are being introduced all the time. Here are some of the options available at present:

Porcelain bonded to metal (PBM): This is what most crowns are made of. A precious metal base is made and layers of porcelain are then applied over it.
All ceramic: These crowns are not as strong as bonded crowns but they can look very natural and are most often used for front teeth.
Precious Metal (gold & Palladium): these crowns are very strong and hard-wearing but are not usually used at the front of the mouth, where they are highly visible.

Q How is a tooth prepared for a crown?

The dentist will prepare the tooth to the ideal shape for the crown. This will mean removing most of the outer surface, and leaving a strong inner ‘core’. The amount of the tooth removed will be the same as the thickness of the crown to be fitted. Once the tooth is shaped, the dentist will take an impression of the prepared tooth, one of the opposite jaw and possibly another to mark the way you bite together. The impression will then be given to a technician, along with any other information they need to make the crown.

Q Who makes the crown?

The impressions and information about the shade of your teeth will be given to a dental technician who is skilled in making crowns. They will make models of your mouth and make the crown on these to be sure that the crown fits perfectly.

Q Will the crown be noticeable?

The crown will match the shade of your other teeth. The shade of the neighbouring teeth will be recorded, to make sure that the colour looks natural and matches the surrounding teeth. A temporary crown, usually made in plastic, will be fitted at the end of the first appointment to last until the permanent one is ready. These temporary crowns may be more noticeable, but they are only in place for about 2 weeks.

Q How long does the treatment take?

You will require approximately 3 visits.

Q Does it hurt to have a tooth prepared for a crown?

No. A local anaesthetic is used and the preparation should feel no different from a filling.

Q Why is a post used?

Post crowns may be used when the tooth has been root filled. The post will support and retain a new inner core which in turn is used to support and retain the crown.

Q Are there any alternatives to post crowns for root-filled teeth?

If a root-filled tooth is not completely broken down, it may be possible to build it up again using a filling material. The ‘core’ is then prepared in the same way as a natural tooth and the impressions are taken.

Q How long will a crown last?

The life of a crown will depend on how well it is looked after. The crown itself cannot decay, but decay can start where the edge of the crown joins the tooth. It is very important to keep this area as clean as your other teeth, or decay could endanger the crown. Properly cared for crowns will last for many years.

Q How are crowns fixed to teeth?

Once the fit and appearance of the crown has been checked and approved by you it will be cemented in place with a special dental adhesive. The adhesive also forms a seal to help hold it firmly in place.

Q Will the crown feel different?

Because the shape of the crown will be slightly different from the shape of your tooth before it was crowned, you may be aware of it to begin with. Within a few days it should feel fine, and you will not notice it. The crown may need some adjustment if it feels higher than the surrounding teeth. If it is at all uncomfortable ask your dentist to check and adjust it. 

Q Is there an alternative to a crown?

A veneer may be an alternative to having an anterior crown. Your dentist will advise you of any suitable alternatives.