Today’s crowns are far superior to the ones of old, looking and feeling very realistic. Crowns are usually fitted if you have a tooth that has been damaged by decay or accidental damage, and that is not strong enough to support any other type of restoration such as a filling or bonding.

The modern crowns that we use here at Royston Dental Suite feel less bulky than the more traditional ones were, and no longer have an unsightly metal edge. They are made by skilled craftsmen in dental laboratories, and are precisely matched to the translucence, colour and contours of your other teeth to look completely natural.

How a crown can help

A dental crown fits over the remaining part of a tooth, helping to strengthen it and making it look like a whole, natural tooth once more. Today's modern crowns are very realistic - they are less bulky than older crowns, and no longer have a metal edge showing by the gumline. They look and feel so natural you might even forget you have them!

There are a number of reasons why we may recommend them. Your tooth may be very decayed and not strong enough to be filled any more, the top part of the tooth may have been accidentally damaged, or you may need one following root canal treatment. Crowns are also sometimes needed to help support a bridge.

The procedure for fitting a crown

Before fitting your crown, we will need to prepare your tooth. Usually we will numb the tooth and surrounding area with local anesthetic, 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 craft your crown so that it is a perfect fit. The technician will also ensure the colour of the crown matches your own teeth, so that it is virtually indistinguishable from them.

While the crown is being made, you will be fitted with a temporary one. This is usually made of plastic, and does not usually look as natural, but you are only likely to be wearing it for a couple of weeks. The temporary crown should stay in place until your next appointment, but if it becomes loose or falls out you should contact us immediately so we can refit it. If the temporary crown is not re-fitted, your new crown may not fit properly and additional charges may be incurred.

Once your new crown is ready, we will fit it and bond it in place with special dental cement.
You will need to wait for an hour before eating to allow the dental cement to dry properly. You can then treat your crown as you would a normal tooth. To prolong the life of your crown, it needs to be kept clean with floss or inter-dental brushes as part of your daily oral healthcare routine.