Dental crowns

What it is

A crown is a custom-made covering that fits over a tooth like a cap, restoring its shape and protecting what remains of the natural tooth underneath.

When it is recommended

• The tooth is too broken down for a filling to hold reliably
• After root canal treatment on a back tooth — treated teeth become more brittle and are prone to splitting under chewing load
• A cracked tooth that needs holding together
• A badly worn or discoloured tooth where a filling would not restore the shape
• Over a dental implant

Materials

Porcelain — best colour match, used where appearance matters most.

Zirconia — very strong and still tooth-coloured; a good choice for back teeth that take heavy load.

Porcelain bonded to metal — a metal core for strength with a porcelain outer layer.

The dentist will recommend based on where the tooth sits, how much force it takes, and how visible it is.

What the appointments involve

First visit. The tooth is prepared under local anaesthetic — reshaped so the crown fits over it — then an impression or digital scan is taken and a temporary crown fitted.

Second visit. The temporary comes off, the permanent crown is checked for fit, shade and bite, then cemented in place.

Afterwards

Temporary crowns are lightly cemented on purpose. Avoid sticky and hard foods on that side, and slide floss out sideways rather than pulling upwards. If a temporary comes off, keep it and call the clinic — it needs re-fitting so the prepared tooth does not drift.

Once the permanent crown is on, clean it exactly as you would a natural tooth. The crown cannot decay, but the natural tooth at its margin can, so the gumline is where brushing and flossing matter most.

How long they last

Well-made crowns commonly last many years. Lifespan depends on the bite, on grinding habits, and on how clean the margin is kept. They are checked at every routine visit.