A cracked, worn or decayed tooth can hurt every time you bite, and the damage often gets worse over time. Dental crowns are a common way to protect a weak tooth so you can chew and smile normally again. You will learn what a crown is, when you need one, how it is fitted and how to make it last.
What ARE dental crowns?
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers the whole visible part of a tooth. It reaches right down to your gum line. Think of it like a thimble over a sore fingertip. It covers the damaged tooth, holds it together and takes the pressure when you chew.
Each crown is made to match the size, shape and colour of your other teeth. This helps it blend in with your smile. Once it is fixed in place, you brush and eat with it much like a natural tooth. Crowns can also sit on top of a dental implant to replace a missing tooth.
Crowns come in a few materials. All-porcelain crowns are tooth-coloured and are often used on front teeth, where looks matter most. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns have a strong metal base with a tooth-coloured outer layer. All-metal crowns are very tough and are sometimes used on back teeth, where they are harder to see. Your dentist will talk you through which one suits your tooth and your budget.
When your dentist might suggest a crown
A crown is usually suggested when a tooth is too damaged for a filling alone. A filling plugs a hole in the tooth. A crown wraps around the whole tooth. That helps when there is not much healthy tooth left to hold a filling.
Your dentist may recommend a crown if your tooth:
- is cracked, chipped or broken
- has a very large filling that is wearing out
- has been weakened by deep decay
- has had root canal treatment, which can leave a back tooth more likely to crack
- is badly stained or oddly shaped and other options will not fix it
A crown is not always the answer. If the damage is smaller, your dentist may suggest a filling or an inlay or onlay. These repair part of the tooth and keep more of your natural tooth in place.
How getting a dental crown works, step by step
Most crowns are fitted over two visits. Here is what happens at each one.
Your first visit
First, your dentist numbs the area with a local anaesthetic. This is a medicine that stops you feeling pain in that one spot. Next, they shape the tooth by removing a thin outer layer. This makes room for the crown to sit over it, like trimming a cake so the lid fits.
Then your dentist takes a copy of your tooth. This is either a soft mould you bite into or a digital scan. A scan is a 3D picture taken with a small camera wand. Your dentist also chooses a shade that matches your other teeth. Before you leave, you get a temporary crown to protect the tooth while your new one is made.
If you are thinking about teeth whitening, do it before your crown is made. Whitening lightens natural teeth but does not change the colour of a crown. Whitening first helps everything match.
Your second visit
Between visits, a dental technician builds your crown in a lab using the copy of your tooth. At your second visit, your dentist removes the temporary crown. They check that the new one fits well and feels right when you bite. When you and your dentist are happy with it, they cement it firmly in place.
Some people feel mild tenderness for a short time afterwards. If your bite feels uneven or the crown feels loose, let your dentist know so they can adjust it.
How to look after your crown so it lasts
Dental crowns cannot get cavities, but the tooth underneath can. Decay can start along the edge where the crown meets your gum, so daily cleaning matters.
A few simple habits help protect your crown:
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between your teeth every day with floss or small interdental brushes.
- Avoid chewing ice, pens or hard lollies, which can chip porcelain.
- Ask about a night guard if you grind or clench your teeth while you sleep.
- Keep up your regular check-ups so small problems are found early.
How long a crown lasts depends on the material, how hard you bite and how well you care for it. Most all-porcelain types did about as well. Good daily care gives your crown the best chance of lasting many years.
Is a dental crown right for your tooth?
Dental crowns can protect a cracked or weak tooth and help it work like a natural tooth again. The right option depends on how much healthy tooth you have left, which a check-up will show. Call our team on (07) 3809 3320 to book. We will check your tooth, explain your options and give you an obligation-free quote before any dental crown treatment begins.
FAQs
Does getting a dental crown hurt?
Your dentist numbs the tooth with a local anaesthetic before shaping it, so you should feel pressure rather than pain. Some people notice mild tenderness or sensitivity for a short time afterwards. If pain lingers or your bite feels uneven, contact your dentist.
Can a tooth with a crown still get decay?
Yes. The crown itself cannot decay, but the natural tooth underneath can, especially along the edge near the gum. Brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth daily and keeping up regular check-ups help protect it.
What is the difference between a crown and a veneer?
A crown covers the whole tooth and is used when a tooth is cracked, weak or heavily filled. A veneer is a thin shell bonded only to the front of a tooth and is mostly used to change how it looks. Your dentist can tell you which option suits the condition of your tooth.
