Dental Crowns – Strengthen & Restore Your Smile

A dental crown is a custom-made, tooth-shaped cap that fits over a damaged, weakened, or cosmetically imperfect tooth. Crowns restore strength, function, and appearance, providing long-term protection and a natural look.

At Avonhead Dental, we offer high-quality crowns to help preserve your teeth and enhance your smile. If you have a heavily filled, cracked, or weakened tooth, a crown may be the best solution to prevent further damage and restore durability.

Why Do You Need a Crown?

Teeth that have suffered significant damage, decay, or wear can become weak and prone to breaking. A crown is designed to protect and reinforce a tooth, preventing further deterioration. You may need a crown if:

✔ You have a large filling that weakens the tooth structure
✔ Your tooth has a root canal and needs reinforcement
✔ You experience pain or sensitivity from hidden cracks in a tooth
✔ You want to improve the appearance of a misshapen or discoloured tooth
✔ Your tooth has suffered trauma or significant wear

Crowns provide long-term strength and durability, restoring your ability to bite and chew comfortably.

What Are Crowns Made Of?

Modern crowns come in a variety of materials, each offering different benefits depending on your needs:

  • Porcelain Crowns – Designed to match the colour of your natural teeth for an aesthetic, seamless appearance. These are commonly used for front and visible teeth.
  • Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns – A porcelain exterior with a metal core, providing a balance of strength and aesthetics.
  • Gold or Metal Crowns – Extremely durable and long-lasting, often used for back teeth where strength is most important.
  • Zirconia Crowns – A high-strength, natural-looking alternative that is resistant to fractures.

Your dentist will recommend the best material based on the location, function, and appearance of the tooth being restored.

The Crown Procedure – What to Expect

Getting a crown typically requires two appointments:

Step 1: Preparing the Tooth & Taking Impressions

✔ The tooth is carefully reshaped to make space for the crown.
✔ Any decay or old filling material is removed to ensure a strong foundation.
✔ A mould (impression) of your tooth is taken and sent to a dental technician to create a custom-fitted crown.
✔ A temporary crown is placed to protect your tooth while your permanent crown is being made.

Step 2: Fitting the Permanent Crown

✔ Once your custom crown is ready, your dentist will check the fit, shape, and colour to ensure it blends seamlessly with your smile.
✔ The permanent crown is then cemented in place, restoring the tooth’s strength and function.

The result? A strong, natural-looking, and long-lasting solution to protect your tooth!

Should You Get Multiple Crowns at Once?

If you have several heavily filled or damaged teeth, your dentist may recommend treating them in stages or crowning multiple teeth at the same time. This will depend on:
✔ The urgency of each tooth’s condition
✔ Your budget and treatment plan
✔ How many teeth need protection

Your dentist will discuss the best approach for your situation to ensure the most effective and comfortable treatment plan.

Whitening & Crowns – What to Consider

If you're considering teeth whitening, it’s best to whiten your teeth before getting a crown. Why?
⚠ Crowns do not change colour like natural teeth do.
⚠ If you whiten your teeth later, the crown may look darker than the surrounding teeth.
⚠ Whitening first ensures the crown is colour-matched to your brighter smile.

If whitening is something you’re interested in, speak with us before your crown treatment so we can plan accordingly!

How Long Do Crowns Last?

With good care, dental crowns can last 10-15 years or more. To extend the life of your crown, follow these tips:
✔ Maintain regular brushing and flossing to prevent decay around the crown.
✔ Avoid chewing hard foods, ice, or using teeth to open packaging.
✔ Visit your dentist for regular check-ups to monitor the health of your crown and surrounding teeth.
✔ Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth, as grinding can weaken crowns over time.

Book a Consultation for a Dental Crown

If you have a damaged or weakened tooth, a custom dental crown could be the perfect solution to restore strength, function, and confidence in your smile.

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