Porcelain Crowns (Caps)

Crowns are a covering for the tooth that is used when significant damage has been sustained. They protect the remaining tooth and strengthen the structure when fillings or other restorative procedures cannot be used.

Porcelain is the most popular type of crown, due to the color and texture of the material most resembling a natural tooth. They are durable but are not a permanent solution, so there should be a reasonable expectation of replacement in the future.

There are a number of reasons that a crown should be fitted, including:

• Broken or fractured teeth.
• Cosmetic enhancement.
• Decayed teeth.
• Fractured fillings.
• Larger fillings.
• Tooth with a root canal.

How will the dentist fit the crown?

Crowns will usually require two separate appointments to fit. The first appointment will consist of creating a mold of your tooth to make the crown from. The dentist will also create a temporary crown from the mold for you to wear for around two weeks until the new crown is ready.

The tooth will be numbed, and the dentist will remove all decay and reshape the surface of the tooth for the crown to fit on. The temporary crown will be cemented on to the tooth and your bite will be checked for accuracy.

At the second appointment, the temporary crown is removed, the tooth cleaned, and new crown fitted in the same manner as the temporary one. Follow all directions given to you by your dentist to ensure your new crown is kept in good condition.