What is a dental crown?
A dental crown, or dental cap, is a restoration that completely covers a damaged or weakened tooth, restoring its shape, strength and appearance. Crowns are custom-made to match the natural tooth structure and can be made from porcelain, zirconia, gold or resin. They are often used after a root canal, large fillings, or to restore a cracked or broken tooth, and are sometimes placed for cosmetic reasons, especially on front teeth where colour or shape correction is needed.
The dental crown procedure, what to expect
The procedure is typically completed over two appointments. At the first, your dentist assesses the tooth and, using local anaesthetic, prepares it in the most minimally invasive way, taking a colour match so a visible crown blends with your natural teeth. Any decay or old filling is removed and the tooth rebuilt with a core build-up beneath the new crown, then shaped to create space for the cap. An impression or scan is taken so the crown can be designed in a laboratory, and a temporary crown is fitted to bring function and aesthetics while the permanent one is made. At the second appointment the temporary crown is removed, the tooth cleaned, and the permanent crown fitted. We use only the highest quality materials, including durable dental porcelain, for a natural look and long-term success.
What types of crowns are there?
Temporary crowns are used while the final crown is made, usually in acrylic or composite. Metal-ceramic crowns have a metal framework veneered with porcelain, long the gold standard. Gold crowns remain useful on back teeth for patients with a strong bite or who grind, prioritising longevity. Porcelain crowns are all-ceramic and metal-free. Lithium disilicate, or e.max, sets the benchmark for all-ceramic crowns alongside zirconia, prized for aesthetics and resemblance to natural teeth. Zirconia crowns are our preferred type, metal-free, very strong, beautiful and highly biocompatible. Implant crowns are placed on the titanium screw that sits in the bone. For the most aesthetically pleasing result, we recommend all-ceramic crowns.
Who needs dental crowns?
You might benefit from a crown if you have a heavily filled or fractured tooth, have completed root canal treatment, have extensive wear or enamel erosion, need support for a bridge or implant, have deep cracks or a broken surface, want to improve a discoloured or misshapen tooth, or have a failing filling with insufficient natural tooth to support further restoration. If you are unsure, we will discuss whether a crown, veneer or composite bonding is more appropriate.
What are the benefits of dental crowns?
A crown protects a weak tooth from further damage, restores full function, and improves appearance for cosmetic reasons. It can support a bridge or be placed on implants, gives long-lasting results of 15 to 20 years or more with proper care, and is customised to blend in perfectly with your natural teeth. For the best results, we recommend good oral hygiene and regular check-ups to ensure the longevity of your crown.
What happens during crown preparation?
After careful evaluation and agreeing together that a crown is the best choice, your dentist prepares the tooth, entirely pain-free. A digital scan or silicone impression is taken and the tooth immediately restored with an excellent temporary crown that feels and looks like the final one. Our master technicians then produce the crown with exceptional attention to detail and a high-precision fit, with laboratories in the UK, Germany and Italy delivering a perfect match in function and aesthetics. When ready, we clean the tooth and fit the crown seamlessly with adhesive dental cement. We then recommend routine appointments to assess the stability of your crown over time.
Looking for the best dental crowns in London?
Restoring your smile has dental health benefits and can also restore self-confidence. Our team has decades of combined experience in restorative and cosmetic dentistry and is regularly invited to lecture worldwide. We design our full-ceramic crowns with master technicians we have worked with for decades in the UK, Germany and Italy, giving us close control over both product and service, so you can be confident your crown has been custom-made to the highest standard. Our recently refurbished clinic sits in the heart of central London, and we use the very latest technology to plan and deliver reliable, aesthetically pleasing results.