All about porcelain crowns (dental crowns)

A tooth is composed of two parts, the root and the dental crown (the visible part). In the centre of the tooth you have the pulp, and cavity filled with soft dental tissue containing nerves and blood vessels. A dental crown or porcelain crown as they are also known is an artificial dental restoration for the top of one’s tooth.

A tooth after polishing, gets a new crown made of porcelain

Dental crowns can be used on all teeth when more common methods of dental restoration such as normal filling or veneer are not enough to repair the damage.

A dental crown normally covers most of the tooth and is shaped like a hood. It is attached on top of the damaged tooth once it has been filed down. Should the dental pulp within the tooth also be damaged it will be necessary to perform a root canal before putting a new dental crown in place.

If the tooth’s own crown is in poor condition it may be unfit as a hold for an artificial dental crown. In such cases it is necessary to stabilise the new dental crown with a tack or pin fastened in the root. This will also require that the tooth is root-filled before the tack and the new dental crown can be attached.

Teeth that are so damaged that a dental crown cannot save them must be pulled out and replaced by a bridge or tooth implant.

Cosmetic dentistry

Attaching a dental crown

Attaching a dental crown will require a minimum of two visits to the dentist.

During the first appointment the tooth/teeth that are to be fitted with new dental crown are filed down, followed by an imprint and colour analysis. Often the dentist will also attach a temporary dental crown until the next visit. At this point the preparatory treatment is done.

The imprint of the tooth/teeth is sent to a dental technological lab that construct the final dental crown. Dental crowns are made of either porcelain (porcelain crowns) or of metal (gold, titanium or special steel). Porcelain crowns often produce the most natural and beautiful result.

During the second appointment the dentist with try the dental/porcelain crown and if it fits it will be cemented in place. Depending on the material of the dental crown the longevity is at least 15 years.

The cost of dental crowns (porcelain crowns)

A dental crown costs somewhere between £300-£1000 in the UK. The price variation depends on which material the dental crown is made of and where the procedure is performed (privately or by the NHS). Depending on age and dental condition it can be possible to receive extensive dental care through the NHS (visit http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/dentists/Pages/nhs-dental-treatments.aspx for more information).

For those that cannot or do not wish to pay for the dental/porcelain crown treatment in cash an alternative is to borrow money. You can read more about this on the page about loans for health care and treatments.