Crowns

What Are Crowns?

Crowns can be used to cover and protect damaged or weak teeth. They can also improve the appearance of misshapen or discoloured teeth. They are essentially metal or porcelain sleeves which fit over the tooth.

The Process

First, impressions are taken and sent to a technician who fabricates a custom crown while a temporary one is fitted. Second, the tooth is reshaped under local anaesthetic, sometimes requiring a filling first. Third, the finished crown is tried in, adjusted for proper bite, then permanently cemented.

Preparing the tooth should feel much like having a filling. Crowns are matched to your natural teeth in colour, size and shape, though gold or silver options exist for back teeth.

Caring for Your Crown

The crown itself cannot decay, but decay can start where the edge of the crown joins the tooth, so proper oral hygiene and cleaning around the crown's edges is essential for durability.