Crowns
By DR Mark Dohald | Principle Dental Officer
5 minute read |
Published 23 September 2024
A dental crown is a cap or covering that is fitted to an existing tooth. It can improve the way a decayed or broken tooth looks and make it stronger.
Crowns can be made from porcelain, zirconia, gold alloy or a combination of porcelain and metal.
Dentists also use crowns to cover dental implants and root canal-treated teeth.
How does a crown work?
A crown is used to entirely cover or ‘cap’ a damaged tooth.
Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve its appearance, shape or alignment. A crown can also be placed on top of an implant to provide a tooth-like shape and structure for function.
Porcelain or ceramic crowns can be matched to the colour of natural teeth. Other materials used in crowns include gold and metal alloys and acrylic.
Your dentist may recommend a crown to:- Replace a large filling when there is not enough tooth remaining.
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing.
- Restore a fractured tooth,
- Attach a bridge.
- Cover a dental implant.
- Cover a discoloured or poorly shaped tooth.
- Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment.
Please discuss with your dental professional at your next check-up if a crown is the appropriate treatment for any oral issues you may be experiencing.
