Dental Crown in Wolverhampton

A dental crown can restore and protect a broken, damaged or heavily filled tooth. It can also improve the appearance of a tooth when appropriate.

At Rock Dental, we provide dental crowns for patients in Wolverhampton, Tettenhall and the surrounding areas.

Sometimes called a tooth cap, a crown fits over the remaining natural tooth. It restores its shape, strength and function.

Modern tooth-coloured crowns can also look remarkably natural. We carefully plan each restoration to complement your surrounding teeth and smile.

If you have broken a tooth, lost an existing crown or think you may need one, our dentists can help.

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What Is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a custom-made restoration that covers the visible part of a natural tooth.

Think of it as a protective outer shell for the tooth.

Crowns are usually used when a tooth has lost too much structure for a conventional filling alone. They can restore the tooth's shape and help protect what remains.

Dental crowns can be made from several different materials. These include ceramic, zirconia, porcelain, metal and porcelain fused to metal.

The best material depends on several factors. These include the position of the tooth, your bite and how much tooth remains.

Appearance is also important, particularly when we are treating a front tooth.

Your dentist will discuss the options with you before treatment.

When Is a Dental Crown Needed?

A dental crown may be recommended when a tooth needs additional strength, protection or restoration.

Broken or cracked teeth

A badly broken tooth may not have enough structure to support a normal filling.

A crown can cover and protect the remaining tooth. However, we first need to assess whether the tooth can be predictably restored.

Root canal treated teeth

Some teeth become weaker after extensive damage and root canal treatment.

This is particularly important for back teeth that carry significant biting forces.

In suitable cases, a crown or another cuspal coverage restoration may help protect the tooth from further fracture.

Teeth with large fillings

Large fillings can leave relatively little natural tooth structure behind.

As more of the tooth is replaced by filling material, the remaining walls may become vulnerable to fracture.

A crown may provide additional protection when the tooth has become heavily restored.

Worn teeth

Significant tooth wear can change the shape, height and function of a tooth.

A crown may sometimes form part of the treatment. However, we will always consider whether a more conservative restoration could achieve the required result.

Cosmetic improvements

Crowns can improve the colour, shape or appearance of selected teeth.

However, a crown requires preparation of the natural tooth.

For cosmetic concerns, we may also discuss less invasive options such as composite bonding, teeth whitening or dental veneers.

Our aim is to preserve healthy tooth tissue whenever possible.

Types of Dental Crowns Available

Several types of dental crown are available. Each material has different advantages.

The most suitable crown depends on your tooth, bite, appearance and clinical needs.

Porcelain Crowns

The term porcelain crown is commonly used for highly aesthetic, tooth-coloured restorations.

Porcelain has excellent optical properties. Therefore, it can reproduce many of the characteristics of natural enamel.

This can make porcelain-based restorations particularly useful in visible areas of the smile.

However, there are several different ceramic materials. Your dentist will recommend the most appropriate option for your tooth.

Ceramic Crowns

Modern all-ceramic crowns contain no metal core.

They can provide an excellent combination of appearance and strength.

Their tooth-coloured structure makes them particularly attractive when aesthetics matter.

Some modern ceramics can also be bonded to the underlying tooth when the clinical situation allows.

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia is a strong dental ceramic used for many modern crowns.

It can withstand significant biting forces. Therefore, it is particularly useful in situations where strength is important.

Modern zirconia materials can also provide very good aesthetics.

Different types of zirconia are available. The choice depends on the position of the tooth and the clinical requirements.

Metal Crowns

Metal crowns have a long history in restorative dentistry.

They are strong and require no tooth-coloured porcelain layer.

Gold and other dental alloys can perform very well, particularly on back teeth.

However, their metallic appearance means that fewer patients choose them today.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns

A porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, often shortened to PFM, combines a metal substructure with a tooth-coloured porcelain covering.

PFM crowns have been used successfully for many years.

They can still be useful in selected situations. However, modern all-ceramic materials mean they are used less frequently than in the past.

We will discuss the advantages and limitations of each material before deciding which crown is right for you.

Dental Crown Procedure Step-by-Step

Dental crown treatment is carefully planned around the condition of your tooth.

Traditional crown treatment commonly involves the following stages.

1. Consultation

Your first step is an assessment with one of our dentists.

We will ask about your concerns and examine the tooth.

More importantly, we will determine whether a crown is actually the best treatment.

2. Examination and X-rays

The tooth, gums and surrounding structures need to be healthy enough to support treatment.

Dental X-rays may be required to assess the tooth and its root.

If there is decay, infection or another problem, this may need treatment first.

3. Tooth preparation

If a crown is appropriate, the tooth is carefully prepared.

This creates the space needed for the crown while retaining as much useful tooth structure as possible.

Local anaesthetic is normally used during this stage.

4. Impressions or digital scanning

We need an accurate record of the prepared tooth and surrounding teeth.

Depending on the clinical situation and technique used, this may involve a conventional dental impression or digital scanning.

This information allows the crown to be made to the required shape and fit.

5. Temporary crown

When a laboratory-made crown is being produced, a temporary crown is often fitted.

It protects the prepared tooth between appointments.

You will need to take some additional care with a temporary crown because it is not designed to be the final restoration.

6. Final crown fitting

At your fitting appointment, we check your new crown carefully.

We assess its fit, shape, appearance and relationship with your bite.

Once we are satisfied, the crown is securely cemented or bonded into position.

We will then explain how to look after it.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

A well-made and well-maintained dental crown can last for many years.

However, no dental crown can be guaranteed to last for a fixed period.

Its lifespan depends on several factors. These include:

• The amount of healthy tooth remaining
• The material used
• The position of the crown
• Your bite
• Oral hygiene
• Tooth decay
• Gum health
• Teeth grinding or clenching
• Diet
• Regular dental maintenance

Importantly, the crown itself may be artificial, but the tooth underneath is still natural.

That tooth can still develop decay or other problems.

Good oral hygiene and regular dental examinations can therefore help extend the life of both the crown and the underlying tooth.

Foods to take care with

Once a permanent crown has settled, most patients can eat normally.

However, repeatedly biting very hard foods or objects can damage crowns and natural teeth.

You should also avoid habits such as chewing ice or biting pens.

If you grind or clench your teeth, tell your dentist. A protective night guard may sometimes be recommended.

How do I know if my crown needs replacing?

Contact us if you notice:

• A loose crown
• A fractured or chipped crown
• Pain when biting
• New sensitivity
• A bad taste around the crown
• Food repeatedly trapping around it
• A visible gap at the crown margin
• Swelling or discomfort around the tooth

A problem does not always mean the crown needs replacing.

However, it should be assessed before further damage occurs.

Dental Crown vs Veneers vs Fillings

Crowns, veneers and fillings all restore teeth, but they perform different jobs.

Dental crown

A crown covers most or all of the visible part of a prepared tooth.

It is generally considered when the tooth has significant structural damage or needs greater protection.

Dental veneer

A veneer primarily covers the front surface of a tooth.

Veneers are usually used to improve appearance rather than restore a heavily damaged tooth.

They generally require less tooth preparation than a conventional crown.

Dental filling

A filling replaces a smaller area of lost or damaged tooth structure.

Fillings are normally more conservative than crowns because less tooth needs preparation.

However, a filling may not provide enough protection when very little sound tooth remains.

Which option is best?

There is no single restoration that is best for every tooth.

Where possible, we favour a minimally invasive approach and aim to preserve healthy natural tooth tissue.

Your dentist will assess the tooth and explain the benefits, risks and alternatives before you decide.