A crown is a tooth-shaped ‘cap’ that’s placed over the entire visible portion of your tooth. A crown will look, feel and function just like any of your other teeth. The latest advances in ceramics now allow us to create crowns which are indistinguishable from your own natural teeth.
Why do I need a crown? Sometimes crowns are needed because of aesthetic considerations but mainly it’s due to a lack of remaining tooth structure. Most commonly, a tooth that has a large filling that needs to be removed (for a reason) or that has sustained a fracture will need a crown.
How are crowns made? Generally, it takes two appointments to prepare and cement a crown. During the first visit, your dentist prepares the tooth to enable an impression to be taken and fits a temporary crown. At your second visit, the temporary crown is removed and the new crown (which is custom-made by a specialised lab technician, according to the dentist's instructions) is cemented into place.
What are crowns made of? Crowns can be made from ceramic, metal (gold, metal alloy) or a combination of both. They are extremely durable and can last a very long time.
