Crowns

A crown is a ‘cap’ for the tooth that is made in a laboratory, and it is designed to repair and replace tooth structure that has been lost as a result of tooth decay or trauma.

They are the preferred alternative to more traditional fillings made of amalgam and offer better support and strength to the remaining tooth structure. They can be constructed from many different types of materials, from metals, including gold, to more cosmetic porcelains. They can be made in the same colour and texture as your natural tooth so that they appear as cosmetically pleasing as possible.

Frequently asked questions

Why should I have a crown and not a normal filling?

Sometimes, there isn’t enough tooth to support a filling, or a filling won’t be strong enough to support what little tooth remains. In such cases, it is better to have a crown to prevent further breakdown of the tooth and give it much-needed strength.

My dentist has recommended a crown after my root canal treatment, but do I really need it?

Yes – Teeth that have had root canal treatment are often weak in structure and prone to breaking down over time – the crown will offer it the strength it needs to hold itself together as well as help prevent an infection from creeping back into the tooth by acting as an additional physical barrier.

Do I need crowns to improve the appearance of my front teeth?

If they are discoloured, broken down or misshapen, we may sometimes recommend a crown to go on them. But we will consider less risky and more conservative alternatives first, like tooth whitening, veneers or teeth straightening.

Can I get a tooth-coloured crown on the NHS?

We tend to put tooth-coloured crowns on the teeth that are towards the front of your mouth on the NHS. On the back teeth, however, where the cosmetic need is less important, on back teeth, we will place metal crowns. The difference between metal and porcelain crowns is simply cosmetic, so unless there is a reason you cannot have a metal crown other than cosmetic on a back tooth, you may be asked to pay for it privately.