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Crowns

Crowns are used to replace broken down, decayed or misshapen teeth or teeth which have been damaged. Crowns can be made out of traditional materials such as gold, porcelain fused to metal or all porcelain. Porcelain crowns can be made completely indistinguishable from natural teeth.  Crown materials include Procera, which is a modern all porcelain crown, produced using cutting edge CAD/CAM technology to produce a crown that is extremely strong and looks great.

At Bath Spa Dentistry we can offer crowns in a single appointment using CEREC.  This revolutionary technology allows us to create bespoke custom designed restorations in a single visit without the need for traditional impressions.  Normally when we make a crown we would need to take an impression for our laboratory technician to fabricate a custom made crown, this would usually take around 2 weeks leaving you with a temporary crown in the meantime.  Now with our in-house CAD CAM technology we can create a digital impression of your teeth and design, mill and fit your crown in a single appointment.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a crown?
A crown is a tooth shaped restoration that is made to replace the 'crown' of a tooth.  A crown is a custom made cap that sits over your tooth. Crowns are usually made out of porcelain, ceramic materials or metals such as gold.

Why do I need a crown?
A crown is needed when the tooth is badly broken down either due to decay, wear or trauma.  A crown is also used as a protective measure if the tooth is brittle for example following root canal treatment.  Sometimes when a tooth has a large filling that has worn out or failed it is a better long-term option to place a crown rather than an even larger filling.  Crowns can also be used to improve the cosmetic appearance of teeth by giving them a more optimal shape and colour.

Does it hurt?
Before teeth can be crowned they need to be prepared to make the tooth a good shape for retaining a crown, this procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic.  Whilst you might fear having an injection, we use techniques to keep you comfortable throughout.  The crown procedure itself is usually painless.

How long does it take?
Traditionally, the process of making a crown takes 2 to 3 weeks.  This is because your dentist would need to prepare the tooth, take impressions, place a temporary crown and wait up to 10 working days for the laboratory to construct the crown.  At Bath Spa Dentistry we use the very latest in CAD/CAM technology to allow us to replace impressions with a digital scan which is then used to design and construct your crown.  With CEREC we can complete the whole process of making and fitting a crown in just one visit! Your crown is milled on-site while you wait, the entire process takes about 2 hours!

How much does a crown cost?
The cost of your crown will depend on a number of factors, your dentist will always give you an estimate prior to treatment and discuss all the options with you.

What are the alternatives?
In some cases a large filling, inlay or onlay may be possible depending upon your individual needs.  Your dentist will discuss any possible alternatives and the risks and benefits of each with you during your consultation.