Dental Crowns

A dental crown fully covers a tooth down to the gum line, restoring both its function and appearance. Crowns are one of the most common dental restorations and can last 10 to 15 years or more with proper care.

When a Crown Is Needed

• A tooth is severely decayed and too damaged for a filling
• A tooth has a large crack or fracture
• After a root canal (to protect the weakened tooth)
• A broken cusp needs replacing
• To cover a dental implant
• To anchor a dental bridge
• A tooth is severely worn from grinding

Crown Materials

Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM): A metal base with a porcelain coating. Durable and tooth-coloured, but the metal margin can show as a dark line at the gum over time.

All-ceramic/all-porcelain: The most natural-looking option. No metal, making them ideal for front teeth. Modern ceramic materials are very strong and suitable for back teeth in most cases.

Zirconia: Extremely strong white ceramic. Good for back teeth that need maximum durability.

Full metal (gold or alloy): The strongest and longest-lasting material. Less tooth removal required. Preferred by some dentists for back teeth despite the visible colour.

The Crown Procedure

Traditional crown placement takes two appointments. At the first, the tooth is filed down to create space for the crown, and an impression is taken. A temporary crown is placed while the permanent crown is fabricated in a dental lab (one to two weeks). At the second appointment, the permanent crown is cemented into place.

Some practices offer same-day crowns using in-office CAD/CAM technology (brand names include CEREC). The crown is designed and milled on-site during a single two to three hour appointment.

Caring for Your Crown

Crowned teeth still need brushing and flossing. The tooth underneath can still decay at the margins where the crown meets the gum. Avoid chewing extremely hard foods (ice, hard candy) and wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth.