What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a custom-made restoration that covers a prepared tooth to restore its shape, strength, function, and appearance.
Crowns may be made from zirconia, ceramic, porcelain, or porcelain fused to metal. They cover the visible part of the tooth above the gum line and help protect the remaining tooth structure from further damage.
A well-designed crown is intended to function like a natural tooth while maintaining a comfortable bite and a balanced, natural-looking smile.
When is a dental crown recommended?
A dental crown may be recommended in situations such as:
🔹 A tooth severely damaged by decay or trauma
🔹 A weakened tooth following root canal treatment
🔹 A fractured or cracked tooth that cannot be reliably restored with a filling
🔹 As part of a dental bridge
🔹 For selected aesthetic indications, such as improving tooth shape, colour, or proportions
🔹 On a dental implant as the final restoration replacing a missing tooth
In many cases, a crown can help preserve a tooth that would otherwise remain vulnerable to further fracture or structural damage.
What can a dental crown be placed on - a natural tooth, root-treated tooth, or implant?
A dental crown can be supported by different structures depending on the clinical situation:
- A vital natural tooth with sufficient healthy structure – The crown is placed over a carefully prepared tooth that still has a healthy pulp. This may be necessary because of extensive wear, fracture, or structural damage.
- A root canal-treated tooth – A tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment may require additional protection, particularly when a significant amount of natural tooth structure has been lost. A crown can help restore strength and function.
- A dental implant – When a natural tooth is missing, a dental implant can be placed in the jawbone and restored with a crown once it is ready for prosthetic restoration.
- A prepared tooth supporting a dental bridge – Crowns may be placed on adjacent teeth to support a bridge used to replace one or more missing teeth.
Types of Dental Crowns: Which Is the Right Choice for You?
Choosing the right dental crown depends on several factors, including the condition and position of the tooth, the amount of remaining tooth structure, bite forces, aesthetic expectations, and budget.
Modern dentistry offers several main types of crowns, each with its own advantages and limitations.
💎 Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crown
A porcelain-fused-to-metal crown combines the strength of a metal framework with an outer porcelain layer designed to resemble a natural tooth.
Advantages:
- Strong and resistant to chewing forces
- Suitable for many posterior teeth
- A well-established restorative option
- Good balance between durability and cost
Considerations:
- The underlying metal may affect the way light passes through the restoration
- A darker margin may become visible near the gum in some cases
- It may not provide the same translucency as modern all-ceramic restorations
- Metal sensitivity should be considered in patients with known allergies to specific alloys
💎 Zirconia Crown
Zirconia crowns are made from zirconium dioxide, a high-strength ceramic material widely used in modern restorative dentistry.
They combine excellent mechanical properties with good aesthetics and can be used in both anterior and posterior regions, depending on the clinical situation.
Advantages:
- Metal-free restoration
- High strength and resistance to fracture
- Good aesthetic properties
- Suitable for many anterior and posterior restorations
- No metal framework that could create a dark margin near the gum
Considerations:
- Usually more expensive than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns
- Precise tooth preparation, digital design, and accurate fabrication are essential for an optimal result
💎 All-Ceramic / Porcelain Crown
All-ceramic crowns are made entirely from ceramic materials without a metal framework.
Their ability to reproduce the translucency, colour, and optical characteristics of natural enamel makes them particularly attractive for highly visible teeth.
Advantages:
- Excellent aesthetics
- Natural light transmission
- Metal-free construction
- Particularly suitable for the aesthetic zone
- Can be closely matched to the surrounding natural teeth
Considerations:
- The appropriate ceramic material must be selected according to the position of the tooth and the forces placed on it
- Some ceramic materials may not be suitable for patients with heavy biting forces or significant teeth grinding without additional planning and protection
The choice of crown material should not be based on price alone. Tooth position, bite, remaining tooth structure, aesthetic expectations, and the overall treatment plan all need to be considered.
Zirconia crowns have become increasingly popular because they combine high strength with excellent aesthetics. However, no single material is ideal for every patient or every clinical situation.
Your dentist at Kavident will explain the available options and recommend the restoration that best suits your individual needs.
Dental Crown Placement with CEREC
At Kavident Dental Clinic, we offer digital crown fabrication using the CEREC system, allowing suitable restorations to be designed, produced, and placed in a single visit.
CEREC is an advanced CAD/CAM technology that combines digital scanning, computer-assisted design, and in-clinic milling to create precise ceramic restorations.
What is CEREC technology?
CEREC is a digital restorative dentistry system used to create customised restorations such as crowns, veneers, inlays, and onlays.
The workflow typically includes several key components:
⇨ Intraoral scanner – Instead of a conventional impression, the teeth are scanned digitally to create a detailed 3D model of the treatment area.
⇨ CAD/CAM software – The restoration is designed digitally according to the prepared tooth, surrounding teeth, and bite.
⇨ Milling unit – The restoration is milled from an appropriate high-quality ceramic block.
⇨ Furnace for crystallisation, staining, and glazing when required – Depending on the material used, the restoration may undergo additional finishing to optimise its strength, colour, and surface characteristics.
A complete restoration in a single visit
With traditional crown fabrication, treatment may require more than one appointment because the final restoration is usually produced in an external dental laboratory.
With CEREC, suitable cases can often be completed during a single visit:
⇨ The crown is designed, produced, and fitted on the same day
⇨ A temporary crown is usually not required
⇨ Digital scanning replaces many conventional impression procedures
⇨ You can leave the clinic with the final restoration already in place
The exact duration of the appointment depends on the complexity of the case and the type of restoration required.
High-quality ceramic materials with a natural appearance
CEREC restorations are produced from modern dental ceramics selected according to the clinical indication.
The aim is to achieve the right balance of strength, function, fit, and aesthetics so that the restoration integrates naturally with the surrounding teeth.
CEREC Dental Crowns at Kavident
At Kavident, we use CEREC digital dentistry to make restorative treatment more efficient and precise while maintaining careful clinical planning.
If you are considering a dental crown, the first step is a clinical examination. Your dentist can then determine whether a same-day CEREC restoration or another type of crown is the most appropriate solution for your tooth.
Stages of Dental Crown Placement
Dental crown placement is a precise restorative procedure that requires careful diagnosis, tooth preparation, and accurate fitting to achieve a functional, aesthetic, and durable result.
At Kavident Dental Clinic, we use modern restorative techniques, including CEREC digital technology when clinically appropriate.
1. Examination, Diagnosis, and Material Selection
Before treatment begins, the dentist examines the tooth and assesses the surrounding tissues and bite.
If decay, cracks, inflammation, or other dental problems are present, they need to be evaluated and treated appropriately before the final crown is placed. Root canal treatment is carried out only when clinically necessary.
The most suitable crown material is then selected according to the condition and position of the tooth, functional requirements, and aesthetic expectations.
2. Tooth Preparation
The tooth is carefully shaped to create sufficient space for the crown and provide a stable foundation for the restoration.
Local anaesthesia is used when appropriate to keep the procedure comfortable.
The amount and design of tooth preparation depend on the selected crown material, the existing tooth structure, and the clinical situation.
The aim is to preserve as much healthy tooth tissue as reasonably possible while creating the conditions required for a stable and accurately fitting restoration.
3. Impression or Digital Scan and Shade Selection
Once the tooth has been prepared, its shape and the surrounding teeth need to be recorded accurately.
Depending on the chosen workflow, this may involve a conventional dental impression or a digital 3D scan.
The shade and other aesthetic characteristics of the crown are also selected so that the final restoration blends naturally with the surrounding teeth.
4. Crown Fabrication
With the conventional approach:
- An impression or digital record is sent to a dental laboratory.
- A dental technician fabricates the final crown.
- A temporary crown may be placed to protect the prepared tooth while the definitive restoration is being made.
With CEREC:
- The prepared tooth is captured with an intraoral scanner.
- The crown is designed digitally using CAD/CAM software.
- The restoration is milled in the clinic from an appropriate ceramic block.
- It is finished, characterised, and prepared for placement.
Suitable CEREC cases can often be completed during the same appointment without the need for a temporary crown.
5. Fitting and Cementation
Once the final crown is ready, the dentist checks its fit, contact with neighbouring teeth, bite, shape, colour, and overall appearance.
Any necessary adjustments are made before the restoration is permanently bonded or cemented into place using the appropriate dental material.
6. Adaptation and Follow-Up
It is normal for a newly restored tooth to feel slightly different during the first few days while you become accustomed to the new crown.
Temporary sensitivity or mild gum irritation may occur in some cases.
If the crown feels too high when you bite, causes persistent discomfort, or you notice any other unusual symptoms, contact your dentist for an assessment.
Care After Dental Crown Placement
Dental crowns do not usually require complicated maintenance, but good oral hygiene is essential for protecting both the restoration and the natural tooth beneath it.
Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day and clean between the teeth with dental floss, interdental brushes, or another method recommended by your dentist.
Particular attention should be paid to the area where the crown meets the gum, as plaque accumulation in this region can contribute to gum inflammation or decay affecting the remaining natural tooth structure.
Habits such as teeth grinding or clenching can place excessive pressure on crowns and other restorations. If you have bruxism, your dentist may recommend a protective night guard.
Chewing very hard objects or frequently eating sticky foods may also increase the risk of damaging or loosening a restoration.
Regular dental check-ups at Kavident are equally important. They allow your dentist to monitor the crown, the surrounding gum tissue, the bite, and the condition of the natural tooth beneath and around the restoration.
Dental Crown Prices
The price of a dental crown depends on several factors, including the material used, the fabrication method, and the condition of the tooth being restored.
Costs may vary between porcelain-fused-to-metal, zirconia, and all-ceramic crowns, as well as between conventional laboratory-made restorations and crowns produced using the CEREC digital workflow.
The final cost may also depend on whether additional treatment is required before the crown can be placed, such as treatment of decay, reconstruction of the tooth, or endodontic treatment.
For current dental crown prices at Kavident Dental Clinic and an individual treatment recommendation, please contact our clinic using the telephone number provided on our website.
