Dental Crowns

People with broken, worn or damaged teeth often seek treatment with the help of dental crowns. Many people, doctors or surgeons often use the term cap instead of crown. In simple words, it is a cover that protects the tooth against further damage.

Your mind may have many questions such as what are crowns made of? How long can a crown last on a tooth? Or simple questions such as why have crowns? or are there any alternatives. These are just a few questions but we will discuss more as the topic matures.

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a cap that covers the tooth. It protects against further damage to a damaged, worn or a broken tooth. It is obvious why we don’t want to lose our natural teeth so if we chip one or it gets damaged from decay we want to do our best to keep it for as long as possible even in that position. What the doctors do is that they cover it with a cap called the ‘crown’ to protect from further trauma. People often refer to a crown as a cap because it sits over your damaged tooth in order to protect its structure.
A dental crown has the shape and color of a natural tooth and fits in well with your natural teeth.

Am I suitable for a dental crown?

If you have experienced any of the following then you will be considered for a dental crown:
• A dental implant: if you have had an implant inserted then a crown is fitted to this implant by means of a small attachment called an abutment.
• Bruxism: also known as teeth grinding: if you have a tendency to grind your teeth, and your diet is poor as well then this will have a negative effect on your teeth. Your teeth will erode to the point where a crown may be the only treatment option.
• Accident or injury: if you have been involved in an accident which has resulted in a broken or badly chipped tooth then it can be repaired with a crown.
• Aesthetic: some patients choose to have a crown for cosmetic reasons.
• Root canal surgery: if you have undergone root canal treatment then a crown may be necessary to strengthen the tooth.
• Significant fracture: if you have a seriously fractured tooth that cannot be repaired by composite bonding then consider having a crown.
• Large filling: a crown can offer extra protection if you have undergone a rather large filling.
• Severe decay: if you have a tooth which shows serious signs of decay then a crown may be the only answer. This decay may have weakened the structure to such an extent that it is unable to hold a filling.
Your dentist will discuss this form of treatment with you as well as assessing your suitability for a crown.

What is a dental crown made from?

Dental crowns can be made from a wide range of materials. These include ceramics, porcelain, gold or a combination of metals which have been fused to a porcelain shell.
The all-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns are the best option as they have a natural look and are indistinguishable from natural teeth.
There are many different brands and types of porcelain crown and this tends to be reflected in the price. The better the quality of material used the more expensive the crown will be.

How much is a dental crown?

Prices vary from one clinic to another, which reflects the quality of the materials used. Prices are based upon the expertise and experience of the dentist, the reputation of the clinic, the materials used and the number of teeth you are having crowned.
As a general rule of thumb you can expect to pay from $400 up to $3,000. This is per tooth only.
If you have an NHS dentist then you will pay less for a crown. However, NHS dentists have to work within tight budgets which can mean a limited choice of crown and one that is made of a cheaper material.
If you choose to pay for private treatment then you will have a greater range to choose from, and ones that are made from superior materials.
It is very much a case of you get what you pay for!

What is the procedure for having a dental crown fitted?

The treatment consists of two stages:

Stage 1
This involves an initial consultation in which all the treatment options are discussed with you. Following this the dentist will then prepare your tooth for the crown.
You will be given a local anesthetic before the start of the treatment.
The dentist will then clean the tooth to be capped; removing any signs of decay and will then reshape it using a small drill called a ‘burr’. The aim is toe achieve a tapered tooth which will enable the crown to fit snugly over it.
Once these is done the dentist will then make a mold using dental wax (putty) to take an impression of your teeth. This involves you biting into the wax to leave an imprint of your teeth. This mold is then sent to a dental laboratory where it will be used as a blueprint for your new crown.
This can take 2 to 3 weeks so during that time you will be given a temporary crown to wear.

Stage 2
In your second visit the dentist will remove the temporary crown before etching the surface of the tooth with a special type of acid which give it a rough surface. This rough surface will enable the dental cement to form a strong bond between the tooth and the crown.
The dentist will then fit your new crown over your tooth and check its fitting and alignment. He or she will also check to see that it fits in well with your natural teeth.
Once you are both happy with this then your dentist will use dental cement to fix the crown in place.

How long does the dental crown procedure take?

The procedure is carried out in two stages and the time taken depends on how many teeth you are having crowned.
If you are having several teeth crowned then this will, naturally, take longer than a single tooth.
You are looking at two visits with a 2 week period in-between.

Does it hurt having a dental crown?

No. You will be given a local anesthetic at the start of the treatment which will help to numb the area.

What are the benefits of a dental crown?

These include protection against further decay or erosion and an improved looking smile. A crown helps to hide that badly chipped tooth or those unsightly looking front teeth. If you were self-conscious about your smile before this treatment then you will be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.

Can anything go wrong with a dental crown?

Crowns are a tried and tested form of dental treatment as countless patients will testify to. There are not usually any problems with a permanent crown but, problems can occur with a temporary crown.
Your dentist will fit you with a temporary crown whilst you are waiting for the dental lab to fabricate your permanent crown. This crown is cemented in place but with a much less stronger form of cement than used in the permanent one.
The temporary crown is made from plastic and because of this, can sometimes work itself loose.
Because of this your dentist will advise you to take some precautions whilst waiting for your new crown. These include the following:
• Avoid any hard chewing or sticky food: this means avoiding hard foods such as carrots or chewy sweets such as toffee!
• Minimize the load on the crown: by this we mean avoid too much chewing on the side of the mouth which contains the temporary crown. Try and eat on the other side of your mouth only.
• Take care when brushing and/or flossing your teeth: be careful when doing so as you may pull the crown off the tooth.
If you have any pain in your tooth or gums or if you notice that your tooth is unusually sensitive, contact your dentist.

Does a dental crown look different to natural teeth?

You may be aware of your new crown for the first few days as it does have a slightly different shape to your other teeth. This is completely normal and you will get used to it after a few days.
The all-porcelain crowns look completely natural and blend in well with your natural teeth.

How long does a dental crown last for?

This all depends on you. If you look after your crown in the same way as your other teeth, and have regular checkups with your dentist then they will last for a long time.
A crown can last for 10 to 15 years on average.

Is there an alternative to a dental crown?

If you are not suitable for a crown then consider having a dental veneer. These are thin ‘shells’ which fit over your teeth in order to improve their appearance.
Your dentist will be able to advise you about an alternative.
The section on dental veneers contains useful information about this alternative form of treatment.