What it is
A crown covers a tooth that is cracked, heavily filled or has had a root canal, giving it back its strength and shape. A bridge uses crowns on neighbouring teeth to hold a replacement tooth in a gap. Both are made from porcelain or zirconia, matched to your tooth colour.
What to expect
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First visit: the tooth is shaped, a digital scan is taken and a temporary crown is fitted. About ninety minutes.
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The crown is made in a local lab over one to two weeks. Same-day milled crowns are available for some teeth.
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Second visit: the temporary comes off, the new crown is checked for fit and bite, then bonded permanently. About thirty minutes.
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Crowns and bridges are cleaned like natural teeth, with floss or a water flosser under a bridge.
Common questions
How long does a crown last?
Ten to fifteen years is typical and many last much longer. The tooth underneath still needs regular check-ups.
Crown or filling?
If more than about half the tooth is filling, or there is a crack, a crown protects it from splitting. Your dentist will show you the tooth on screen and explain the choice.
Bridge or implant for a missing tooth?
An implant does not involve the neighbouring teeth and is usually preferred if they are healthy. A bridge is quicker and suits cases where the neighbours already need crowns. We will walk you through both.