Crowns are a sensible and effective way of restoring your smile and protecting weakened teeth.

A crown is a tooth shaped cap, that sits over your natural tooth, covering and protecting the tooth underneath. They can be made of porcelain, precious metals, or a combination of both.

The tooth is generally adjusted to the correct shape for a crown; impressions are taken of the teeth which are sent to a dental technician, who constructs the crown.

While the crown is being made, a provisional crown is placed to protect the tooth. On your second visit, the crown is cemented or bonded permanently in place so that it feels like a natural tooth.

There are many reasons for using a crown. Here are just a few:

• If the tooth is very broken down and needs more than just a simple filling to restore it.

• The tooth may be discoloured or a strange shape.

• The tooth may be more brittle or have had a root canal filling, leaving the tooth vulnerable to cracking.

• Sometimes crowns are used as part of a larger treatment plan to correct the bite