Crowns and onlays

Crowns or onlays can be used to restore the form and function of heavily broken down or compromised teeth. They are typically made by a dental technician in a laboratory after preparing the tooth and taking impressions. 

Crowns are often referred to as 'caps'. They cover the remaining parts of the natural tooth when a large amount of structure has been lost. As such, they provide what is known as 'full coverage'. Crowns can be constructed from many different materials, ranging from an all-metal gold crown, through to a high strength ceramic crown. The type of crown depends on the amount of tooth left, the tooth type and the patient preference.

An onlay is similar to a crown, but it only covers the cusps of a tooth. They are particularly useful if the tooth needs to be strengthened or reinforced. They can also be used to make the tooth longer/higher, which is useful if a worn dentition is being built back up again.

A permanent crown can last between five and 15 years, depending on your habits, lifestyle and oral care routine. Teeth grinding can put pressure on a crown, leading to cracks and possible damage. 

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 FAQs

 

  • How long a crown lasts varies depending on a variety of factors including how much of the tooth was left when the crown was made, any history of teeth grinding (bruism) and most importnalty how well it is looked after by the patient. However in favourable cases where good oral hygiene is maintained a crown may last 15 years before requiring any adjustments.

  • They are the same thing. In the past crowns were referred to as caps.

  • Usually 2 visits are required, the first is where the tooth is reduced, an impression or scan is taken and a temporary crown is constructed, usually this takes 1 hour. In the second appointment the crown is fitting which usually takes 20 minutes.

  • No, to begin with it may feel slightly strange in your bite however after a week your crown should feel the same as natural teeth.

  • We recommend maintaining excellent oral hygiene around a crown, including at least twice daily brushing and once daily use either floss or interdental brushes to clean in between the crown.

  • No, using modern anaesthetics you should not experience any discomfort whilst having a crown prepared or fitted.

  • If made in a white material you can expect a crown to look just like your natural tooth.