The tooth will be prepared to the ideal shape of the crown. This will involve removing most of the outer surface of the tooth leaving a core. The thickness of the crown will be the same as the amount of tooth that has been removed.

Once the tooth is shaped an impression of the prepared tooth will be taken and one of the opposite jaw and another to mark the way you bite. All the impressions will be sent to the technician to reproduce a crown that fits the tooth. A visit to the laboratory will be needed to match the colour of the crown to the existing teeth. The prepared tooth will have a temporary crown fitted until the new crown is ready.

The treatment takes two visits to the surgery.

The life of a crown depends on how much pressure is applied to the bite and how well it is looked after. The crown cannot decay, but decay can start where the edge of the crown joins the tooth. It is essential to keep the gums and crown clean. Eight to ten years would be the average life expectancy for a crown.

Precious metal crowns – Gold and palladium crowns are very strong and hard-wearing and are usually used at the back of the mouth. They are not visible and most suitable for people who grind and clench their teeth.