Dental Crowns are one of many restorative treatments available here at The Priors Dental Practice that can be used to repair damaged or decayed teeth. A crown is also commonly known as a cap because it sits on top of the existing tooth.

Many people have crowns and they can make a real difference to the way your smile looks. Crowns can be used to repair cracked teeth, restore decayed teeth and replace a missing tooth (the crown is attached to a dental implant in this case). Most people choose to have crowns that are made from porcelain as they are very natural looking. However you can also choose to have metal crowns or crowns that are made of both metal and porcelain.

The procedure

If you are advised to have a crown fitted by one of our experienced dentists then we will endeavour to explain the treatment to ensure you understand the process:

• The first step of the procedure is to prepare the tooth for the new crown. This involves removing the damaged portion of the tooth and then re-shaping the tooth using an instrument called a burr, which is a dental drill that is used to shape teeth.
• Once the tooth has been prepared, your individual dentist will create a mould of your teeth using a putty-like substance, which will then be sent away to the dental laboratory.
• At the dental lab, the new crown will be manufactured to fit the tooth exactly and then sent back to the dentist.
• It usually takes around 2 weeks for the new crown to be made-up and returned to our practice. During this time you may be fitted with a temporary crown.
• Once your new crown has been fitted, you must look after it in the same way you look after the rest of your teeth. This involves regular brushing, flossing and rinsing and visiting the dentist on a regular basis. If they are well looked-after, crowns can last up to fifteen years.