Crowns
A crown or cap is an artificial restoration that fits over the remaining part of a damaged and prepared tooth, giving it the appearance of a natural tooth.
Crowns are an ideal way to repair teeth that
have been broken
weakened by tooth decay or a very large filling
have a discoloured filling
have had a root filling and need a crown to protect the remaining root
or to help to hold a bridge or denture firmly in place
Most crowns are made of porcelain bonded to precious metal. Porcelain crowns are made entirely of porcelain, and as they look very natural, are most often used for front teeth. However, they are not as strong as bonded crowns.
All-ceramic crowns are a modern metal-free alternative which can have the strength of a bonded crown and the appearance of a porcelain crown. They are therefore suitable for front and back teeth.
Glass crowns also look very natural and can be used anywhere in the mouth.
Gold is one of the oldest filling materials used in dentistry and can still be used today. However, they are less aesthetically pleasing than white crowns.
