At Digismile Group Dental Clinic in London, we understand that your natural smile is precious. While the aim is always to preserve every tooth, sometimes damage or decay reaches a point where a standard filling will not suffice. In such cases, a dental crown offers a robust way to restore both the health and the appearance of a compromised tooth. Often referred to as a “tooth cap”, a dental crown is a custom-made prosthetic designed to encase a damaged or weakened tooth, effectively acting as a shield. For patients who need a new foundation for an entire arch rather than a single tooth, options such as All-on-Six dental implants may be more appropriate.
What is a Dental Crown? The Protective Capping Solution
Think of your natural tooth as a structure that has suffered significant wear and tear. A dental crown is a custom-made cap that is precisely fitted over the visible portion of a damaged or decayed tooth. Its primary objective is to restore the original shape, size, and strength of the tooth. Just as importantly, it acts as a barrier, helping to prevent further damage such as fractures or breakage. This matters particularly for teeth weakened by extensive decay, large fillings, root canal treatment, or significant wear over time.
Why Might You Need a Dental Crown? Common Scenarios Addressed
Several scenarios can lead to the recommendation of a dental crown. Understanding these can help you identify whether this treatment might suit your dental needs:
- Severe Tooth Decay: When decay is extensive and has compromised a large portion of the tooth structure, a crown is often the best way to protect the remaining healthy tooth.
- Large Fillings: Teeth with substantial fillings can become structurally weaker over time. A crown provides reinforcement that helps prevent the tooth from fracturing.
- Root Canal Treatment: After a root canal, a tooth can become more brittle. A crown seals the tooth and restores its strength for normal function.
- Cracked or Chipped Teeth: Significant cracks or chips can compromise the integrity of a tooth. If the crack is sudden, severe, or painful, this may count as a dental emergency — read our emergency dentist in Islington guide for advice on what to do next. A crown can hold the tooth together and restore its appearance, whereas minor or superficial chips might only require composite veneers or dental bonding.
- Worn-Down Teeth: Teeth severely worn down by grinding (bruxism) or other factors can often be restored to their proper shape and function with crowns. Where bruxism is a factor, a zirconium crown is frequently chosen for its resistance to chipping and cracking under heavy load.
- Dental Implants: A crown is typically placed on top of a single dental implant to serve as the visible, functional tooth.
- Aesthetic Improvement: In some cases, a crown can cover a discoloured or misshapen tooth, noticeably improving the appearance of your smile. If the tooth is structurally healthy, porcelain veneers are often the preferred choice for a purely cosmetic change.
If your tooth does not require a full crown, a more conservative inlay or onlay restoration might be recommended instead.
The Process of Getting a Dental Crown: A Step-by-Step Guide
The journey to a restored smile with a dental crown typically involves a couple of visits to your provider for dental crowns in Islington. While the exact timeline can vary, the process is designed to be efficient and comfortable:
- Initial Consultation and Examination: Your first visit involves a thorough examination of the tooth in question. This may include X-rays to assess the root and surrounding bone. Your dentist will discuss your concerns and determine whether a crown is the most appropriate solution.
- Tooth Preparation: If a crown is recommended, the tooth is reshaped. This involves removing a small amount of the outer enamel to make space for the crown. The amount removed depends on the type of crown being used.
- Creating an Impression: Once the tooth is prepared, your dentist takes an impression of it and the surrounding teeth. This serves as a precise blueprint for the dental laboratory to make your custom crown.
- Temporary Crown Placement: While your permanent crown is being fabricated, which usually takes a couple of weeks, a temporary crown is fitted to protect the prepared tooth and maintain its position.
- Permanent Crown Placement: On your next visit, the temporary crown is removed and the custom permanent crown is fitted and adjusted for a comfortable bite. Once you and your dentist are satisfied with the fit, appearance, and bite, the crown is cemented into place.
Types of Dental Crowns: Materials for Durability and Aesthetics
Choosing the right material for your dental crown balances strength, appearance, and cost. A range of materials is available to suit individual needs:
| Crown Material | Description | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) | A metal substructure covered with a layer of porcelain. | Durable, good aesthetics, often more affordable than all-ceramic. | Porcelain can chip or break; the metal margin can sometimes be visible as a dark line at the gum line. |
| All-Ceramic / All-Porcelain | Made entirely of ceramic materials, such as full porcelain crowns, offering a very natural tooth-like appearance. | Excellent aesthetics, biocompatible, no metal margin visibility. | Can be less durable than PFM or metal under very heavy biting forces, and potentially more costly. |
| Zirconia | A very strong type of ceramic, often used for posterior teeth or for patients who grind their teeth. | Strong, durable, good aesthetics, biocompatible. | Can be more opaque, which may look less translucent than other ceramics. |
| Metal Alloys (Gold, Nickel-Chromium, etc.) | Made from various metal alloys, including gold. | Highly durable, well suited to molars where strength matters most, long-lasting. | Less aesthetically pleasing due to the metallic colour. |
During your consultation, your dentist will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option to help you make an informed choice that fits your aesthetic goals and functional requirements. For general background on how NHS and private dental treatments differ, the NHS dental treatments page is a useful independent reference.
Maintaining Your Dental Crown: Ensuring Longevity
A well-maintained dental crown can last for many years, often a decade or more. The key to its longevity lies in consistent oral hygiene, much like caring for your natural teeth:
- Brushing: Brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste, paying particular attention to the gum line where the crown meets your tooth.
- Cleaning between the teeth: Clean between your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food particles from around the crown. Specialised floss or interdental brushes may be recommended.
- Regular Dental Check-ups: Attend your scheduled check-ups and professional cleanings. These visits allow your dentist to monitor the health of the crowned tooth, check the fit of the crown, and address any issues early.
- Avoid Hard Foods: While crowns are strong, it is wise to avoid chewing on very hard objects such as ice, pens, or hard sweets, as this can damage the crown or your natural teeth.
- Mouthguard for Grinding: If you grind your teeth (bruxism), wearing a custom-made nightguard is recommended to protect your crowns and natural teeth from excessive wear.
It is worth noting that dental crowns do not change colour with standard whitening treatments. Patients planning a smile makeover sometimes choose to complete whitening before their final crown shade is selected, so the crown can be matched to the newly whitened shade of their natural teeth.
Are You a Candidate for a Dental Crown?
A dental crown may suit someone experiencing significant tooth damage, decay, or structural weakness that cannot be adequately addressed by a filling. This includes a tooth that is:
- Severely cracked or chipped
- Largely compromised by decay
- Weakened after a root canal treatment
- Suffering from extensive wear
- In need of an aesthetic improvement for discolouration or misshaping
In those cases a dental crown may be a suitable solution. If you have lost several teeth in a row, however, an implant-supported bridge using multiple dental implants is often the better approach. If you are dealing with widespread tooth loss across an entire arch rather than a single damaged tooth, a full fixed option such as All-on-Four may be recommended instead. A thorough examination by Dr Ilhan will determine your suitability.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns
Will a dental crown hurt?
The procedure to prepare your tooth and place a crown is typically done under local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during the treatment. Some mild sensitivity or soreness may occur for a day or two after the anaesthetic wears off, but this is usually temporary.
How long do dental crowns last?
With proper care and good oral hygiene, dental crowns can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years, and often longer. Regular check-ups are important for monitoring the health of the crown and your surrounding gums.
Can a crowned tooth still get a cavity?
While the crown itself cannot decay, the tooth structure underneath can still be susceptible to decay if plaque and bacteria accumulate at the gum line where the crown meets the tooth. Careful brushing and cleaning between the teeth are essential to prevent this.
How much do dental crowns cost?
The cost of dental crowns varies depending on the material used, the complexity of the case, and your specific treatment plan. Your dentist can provide a personalised estimate after a thorough examination and discussion of your options.
What is the difference between a crown and a veneer?
A crown covers the entire visible portion of a tooth, restoring both its strength and appearance. A veneer is a thin shell bonded to the front surface of a tooth, primarily for aesthetic improvements such as correcting minor chips, discolouration, or slight misalignment. A crown offers more structural support for significantly damaged teeth.
Invest in Your Smile’s Future with Dental Crowns
Do not let a weakened or damaged tooth compromise your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. Dental crowns offer a durable, natural-looking and long-lasting way to restore your oral health and the appearance of your smile.
Ready to discuss your dental crown options? You can view general treatment costs on our prices page, or contact us to arrange a consultation and take the first step towards a stronger, healthier smile.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute dental advice. Every case is different, so please consult Digismile Group Dental Clinic or another qualified dentist to discuss your individual circumstances before making any treatment decisions.
