A crown, sometimes called a cap, fits over the whole visible part of a tooth like a protective helmet. It is one of the most reliable ways to save a tooth that is too damaged for a filling alone.
When is a crown recommended?
- After root canal treatment, especially on back teeth
- When a large filling has left too little healthy tooth
- For a cracked, weakened or badly worn tooth
- To cover a discoloured or misshapen tooth
- To support a bridge or cover a dental implant
Crown materials
- Zirconia. Very strong and tooth-coloured. Popular for both front and back teeth.
- Porcelain / ceramic. Excellent appearance, particularly for front teeth.
- Porcelain fused to metal. Metal strength with a porcelain surface.
- Metal alloys. Very durable and need less tooth removal, though they are not tooth-coloured.
The procedure
- Visit one. The tooth is numbed and reshaped, and an impression or digital scan is taken. A temporary crown is fitted.
- Laboratory. Your crown is made to match your bite and shade.
- Visit two. The temporary crown is removed, the fit and bite are checked, and the final crown is cemented.
Looking after a crown
- Brush twice a day and clean between teeth, especially along the gumline of the crown.
- Avoid biting hard objects such as ice, pen caps or nutshells.
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth. See bruxism.
- Attend check-ups so the margins can be checked.
Crown or filling?
If there is enough healthy tooth, a filling may be simpler. See dental fillings. A crown is the better option when a filling would leave the tooth at risk of breaking. Learn more about our crowns and restorative care.