When your teeth are in need of a

Dental crown

A dental crown protects a weakened tooth by encasing it in a very strong material. This will make the tooth more durable and ensure it doesn't break, so you don't risk losing the tooth

The crowning glory

The crown of the tooth is the white part that is visible in the mouth. The root of the tooth is the foundation under the gumline that attaches the tooth to the jawbone. The dentist files down the old crown and places a new, artificial crown on the stump that remains of the old crown.

If there is not enough of the tooth remaining, a plastic or metal post can be placed under the crown, possibly along with a root post if the tooth has undergone root canal treatment. The crown can then be cemented onto the post.

A great solution when your tooth is weakened

You can compare a dental crown to a cap that is placed on top of the weakened tooth to restore function, strength and appearance.

What materials can you use for a crown?

Crowns can be made in gold, a combination of metal and porcelain or pure porcelain. At PLUS1, we make the vast majority of crowns today in the extremely strong material zirconium, possibly with fired porcelain. This gives a beautiful natural result and the crown looks exactly like a natural tooth.

The crown is painted to match the color and markings of your other teeth. If you want brighter teeth, make sure you have your teeth whitened first, as a crown cannot be whitened afterwards.

Is your tooth weakened?

The conditions below are typical reasons why you have a weakened tooth that needs crown treatment:

You have a root canal treated tooth, as root canal treated teeth are weakened and break more easily than intact teeth
Your tooth has been knocked, and because the piece of tooth that broke off is so large, a composite filling would not be strong enough
Your tooth is exposed to a very large hole
Your tooth has large and insufficient plastic or silver fillings
Your tooth has deep cracks.

How is a dental crown performed?

On your first visit, the dentist will numb your tooth and grind it all around and vertically to make room for the new crown. Next, the dentist will take an impression, which is sent to our technician. To protect your tooth while you're waiting for the crown, you'll need to wear a temporary crown, which is made of plastic. The temporary crown ensures that you can smile and chew normally. It also keeps the neighboring teeth in place so they don't shift.

Most of the time you won't feel anything after the grinding, but some may experience some tooth sensitivity and gum soreness. After about 14 days, your crown will be attached to the tooth. It is attached with a special strong cement that acts like glue. There is rarely any discomfort after crown treatment, but sensitivity from the tooth for up to a few weeks afterwards is not uncommon. If you continue to experience discomfort or pain, contact us so we can assess whether your tooth needs root canal treatment. Approximately 10% of all teeth that receive a crown will need root canal treatment at a later stage. Often, a small opening can be made in the crown, which is then filled with plastic so that a new crown is not necessary.

Read about root canal treatment

If you have a hard bite or you grind your teeth at night, we recommend a bite guard because there is a risk that the porcelain on the crown will weaken and crack over time.

How long does a crown last?

Generally speaking, a dental crown can last 15-20 years, but there are many different factors that affect its durability. If you take really good care of your dental crown, it can basically last a lifetime.

The best way to care for your dental crown is to maintain good oral hygiene. This means brushing and flossing regularly to prevent gum disease and cavities under the crown.

Has your dental crown come loose?

If you can rock your crown back and forth, it's a sign that the crown is loose.
If you come in with a loose crown, the dentist will clean it and put it back in place if possible.

If there is a cavity under the crown or something else wrong with the tooth, you may need a new crown.