Crowns

Dental Crowns

A Crown is an artificial cover for your natural tooth or over a Dental Implant. Crowns restore teeth that have been badly damaged, broken or are at risk of breaking and can also greatly improve the appearance of teeth. Crowns can be made from various materials, such as porcelain (white) or porcelain bonded to metal. Porcelain crowns are normally more popular with our patients as they typically provide the most natural aesthetic result.

Why would I need a Crown?

To protect a weakened tooth from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth
To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down
To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t a lot of tooth left
To cover misshaped or severely dis-coloured teeth
To cover a dental implant

What types of Crowns are available?

Metals used in crowns include gold alloy, or other alloys (Combinations of metal). Metal crowns are a good choice for back teeth.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns can be colour matched to your adjacent teeth. These crowns can be a good choice for front and back teeth.

All-ceramic or all-porcelain dental crowns provide better natural colour match than any other crown type.

What steps are involved in getting a Dental Crown fitted?

During the first visit, the tooth/teeth will be prepared; this involves reshaping the tooth/teeth and removing any decay to allow the crown to be placed. If a large area of the tooth is missing (due to decay or damage), your dentist will use filling material to “build up” the tooth to support the crown.

Impressions are taken and sent to a dental laboratory where the crown will be made. The crown is usually delivered to your dentist’s office within two weeks. If the crown is made of porcelain, your dentist will also select the shade that most closely matches the colour of the neighbouring teeth. During this first visit your dentist will make a temporary crown to cover and protect the prepared tooth while the permanent crown is being made. Temporary crowns are usually made of acrylic and are held in place using temporary cement.

At the second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and check the fit and colour of the permanent crown. If everything is to the patients satisfaction, a local anaesthetic will be used to numb the tooth and the new crown is permanently cemented in place.

How long do Dental Crowns last?

On average, dental crowns last between 5 and 15 years. The life span of a crown depends on the amount of “wear and tear” the crown is exposed to, how well you follow good oral hygiene instructions, and your personal mouth-related habits.

How much do Crowns cost?

The cost for our dental crowns varies depending on the material used and the complexity of the treatment. The exact cost will be determined after the consultation. Our prices for crowns start at €650.