A dental crown is a tooth shaped sleeve made of porcelain, metal or a combination of both. The colour and shape are matched to your other teeth and it is placed over an existing tooth to improve the shape, size, strength or appearance of the damaged tooth. When they are cemented in place, they fully cover the portion of your tooth that is visible above your gum line.
Crowns are normally a good option when you have cracked or broken a tooth, worn it down by grinding, or to cover and support a tooth with a large filling (often a root canal treatment) and where your tooth is so severely discoloured that whitening or a veneer is not suitable.
A crown will require two visits to your dentist, about 2 weeks apart. At your first visit, your dentist will prepare your tooth, take impressions for the lab and fit a temporary crown to protect your tooth until your next visit. When you return the crown will be fitted and once you and your dentist are happy with the colour and fit, it will be cemented permanently into place.
Crowns do not require special care and they can provide a long lasting solution for your teeth that should last between 10 -15 years if you follow an effective oral hygiene programme.