Crowns are a type of dental restoration that are cemented permanently into place and completely cover the surface of the tooth. Crowns help to strengthen and restore the tooth to its original shape and function.

Crowns can be made of porcelain, which is tooth- coloured in appearance or they can be made of metal or a combination of both. The tooth- coloured porcelain can be colour matched to your adjacent teeth making this type of crown more aesthetically pleasing.

Crowns are prepared over two visits, the first visit is to prepare the tooth, take an impression and place a temporary crown. The impressions are then sent to the laboratory for a custom-made crown to be prepared. The second visit is three weeks later where the crown is cemented permanently.

Crowns may be considered for the following reasons:

• To restore a tooth to its original shape, when it has become badly broken.
• To strengthen a weakened tooth due to large fillings or root canal treatment.
• To improve the cosmetic appearance of a tooth.
• To cover an implant.