Crowns
Crowns are usually recommended when the root of your tooth is still relatively strong and healthy, but the top part of it has been broken or damaged; or it is very decayed and is not strong enough to be filled any more.
Crowns are also often recommended after root canal treatment, and are sometimes needed to help support a bridge. Before fitting your crown, we will need to prepare your tooth. Usually we will numb the tooth and surrounding area with local anaesthetic, and will then take an impression, or mould, of the area around your tooth. This will be used by a skilled dental technician, who will create a crown that will fit well and match your natural teeth.
While the crown is being made, you will be fitted with a temporary one. Once your new crown is ready, we will fit it and bond it in place with special dental cement.
As with so many things, with crowns you tend to get what you pay for. If you simply need a strong, functional crown, then a cheaper or NHS-funded crown will be absolutely fine. However, if you want a very realistic appearance - for example on a highly visible front tooth - then you may want to pay a little more for a better result.
More information about crowns can be found on the British Dental Health Foundation's website.
This page was last updated on 17 of January 2013