A cracked tooth, one with extensive decay, or one that has just had root canal treatment: not enough healthy tissue is left for a composite filling to hold over time. A crown wraps around what remains and spreads the force of chewing instead of concentrating it on a fragile wall.
It is also the part that completes an implant, and the way a tooth badly worn by grinding is rebuilt. Dr Berrada only suggests a crown when leaving the tooth as it is would expose it to a fracture.
02
Ceramic, zirconia or metal: what changes
On visible teeth, Ivoclar ceramic remains the reference: it lets light through the way enamel does and takes the shade of the teeth beside it. On molars, which absorb most of the chewing, zirconia offers greater strength.
The porcelain-fused-to-metal crown still exists and has proved itself, but its grey line eventually shows at the gum. We discuss it with you before choosing, tooth by tooth.
03
How the appointments go
First appointment: the tooth is prepared under local anaesthetic, then scanned. The impression is digital, there is no paste to bite into. You leave with a temporary crown that lets you eat and smile normally.
The laboratory then shapes the final piece. At the second appointment it is tried in, adjusted for shade and for the contact with the neighbouring teeth, then cemented. Allow a few days between the two.
04
How long it lasts
A crown well fitted on a sound tooth lasts many years. What makes one fail is almost never the ceramic: it is decay starting again under the edge, or a gum receding for want of care.
Regular scaling and careful brushing at the gum line are worth more than any guarantee. The length of ours is written into your quote, along with what it covers.
Updated on
«
I'm someone who gets scared at the dentist, but with Dr Berrada you feel at ease straight away. He explains the options clearly and doesn't push treatment you don't need.
Abla B.TreatmentGoogle«
He explains every step clearly. The practice is clean and well organised, and appointments always start on time.
Fahd M.Regular careGoogle
Frequently asked questions
01Does fitting a crown hurt?
The preparation is done under local anaesthetic and is not painful. Over the following days the tooth may be sensitive to cold if it is still alive, until things settle. Tell us if the discomfort lasts more than a few days.
02Does the tooth need root canal treatment before a crown?
Not as a rule. If the nerve is healthy and enough tooth remains, we keep it alive: that is always preferable. Root canal treatment is only needed when the nerve is affected or the tooth is too broken down.
03What is the difference between a crown and a veneer?
A veneer covers only the visible face of an intact tooth, for aesthetic reasons. A crown wraps around the whole tooth and is there first of all to rebuild it once it is damaged.
04Can a crown be fitted in a single trip?
Yes, and that is what we arrange for patients coming from abroad: the preparation early in the stay, the fitting before departure. Give us your dates and we plan the appointments around them.
