Crowns are an ideal way to repair teeth that have been broken or have been weakened by decay or a very large filling. A crown may be used for a number of other reasons, for example:
- you may have a discoloured filling and would like to improve the appearance of the tooth
- you may have had a root filling and need a crown to protect what is left of the tooth
- it may help to hold a bridge or denture firmly in place.
The most common types of crowns are:
- Ceramic crowns: this modern technique offers a metal-free alternative, which can give the strength of a bonded crown and the appearance of a porcelain crown.
- Porcelain bonded to precious metal: this is what most crowns were made from in the past. A precious metal base is made and then porcelain is applied in layers over it.
- Gold crowns: a technique that has been in existence for over a hundred years and is very successful. As aesthetics has become more of a factor, the use of gold is declining. Cast gold crowns have no match with regard to long-term service and minimal wear to opposing teeth, their greatest advantage. They are still a very good option in the case of back teeth where a patient’s requirements are function only and the tooth is not visible to be an aesthetic concern.
