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A crown (sometimes called a "cap") is a shell that your dentist makes to fit
right over the top of a tooth, strengthening it.
Why would I need a crown?
Probably because a tooth has been weakened by extensive dental decay,
large fillings, accidental damage or root canal treatment. A crown
holds together the remaining tooth and any dental filling material, making it stronger, and greatly improves
the appearance of the tooth.
What types of crown are there?
There are several different types of crown that your dentist might recommend:
Porcelain bonded to precious metal crown. Good aesthetics and strong,
too.
All-porcelain crown: made from porcelain alone. Excellent aesthetic
results - very suitable for front teeth.
Precious metal crown: made from gold and palladium. Extremely strong but have poor
aesthetics.
How long does a crown last?
A crown should last for many years. We are so confident of the quality of
our crowns that we guarantee them for 2 years.
How much does a crown cost?
Crowns cost from £470.00.
The exact price depends on type of material used and whether your dentist
advises that a core/post is needed to anchor the crown in place.
How does a dentist prepare a tooth for a crown?
Your dentist will shape the tooth by removing some of the outer
surface. Sometimes the dentist may have to "build up" the core of the
tooth (particularly if a lot has broken off) with filling material or put a post
into the tooth so that the crown has something to sit on. Next, they will
take an "impression" (ie make a mould of) your teeth and take a measurement of
how you bite together. The dentist will record the shade of the adjacent
teeth so that the new crown (nb: not for a metal crown) is an exact match for
the other teeth. Your dentist will fit a temporary crown while the
permanent crown is being made so that the tooth looks and feels the same between
visits.
Will the dentist use anaesthetic?
When the tooth has already been root treated it isn't necessary, but in
most cases your dentist will need to anaesthetise the tooth before working on it
so that you don’t feel anything.
What happens next?
The impression, bite measurements and shade information are
passed to a specialist dental laboratory. The laboratory makes a model of
your mouth: the crown will be constructed on this to ensure that it fits in
perfectly with your other teeth. About a week or two after your first
appointment your dentist will see you for a second time to check that your new
crown is a good fit and that the shade is a good match for your other teeth.
The crown is then fixed in place using special dental cement.
Are there any alternatives to crowns?
If your dentist has suggested a crown then this is probably because the tooth is weak
(see above). It is unlikely that alternative treatments such as fillings, inlays or veneers would
be effective – the tooth may well break after they have been placed. If alternatives are viable in
your case then your dentist will discuss the options with you.
Interest free credit
If you spend over £500, you can spread the cost of your treatment over up to 6 months, interest free.
Spend £1,500 or more and you can have up to 12 months to pay at no extra cost.
What is a crown?