A dental crown, sometimes known as a cap, is a hard cover which completely surrounds the tooth and is cemented in place. They are usually used to strengthen teeth which have had a large amount of filling where either the filling or the remaining tooth is beginning to break. Crowns can be made from metal or porcelain or a combination of materials.
Your dentist will advise you when a crown is necessary and the options available to you. The cost depends on the type of material used and how natural an appearance is desired. In all cases treatment involves 2 visits; this is because crowns are all custom made in specialist laboratories to fit each individual tooth. In some cases we send impressions to the USA to get the crowns made and so there will normally be a period of two weeks between preparing the teeth for crowns and the final fitting. An acrylic temporary crown will be fitted while the final crown is being made which will protect the tooth underneath.
