Bite and chew without pain

There are many types of crowns available to patients:

• Zirconia crown: An extremely strong metal with an ultra-aesthetic appearance
• Porcelain crown: Created from a fine ceramic, its translucency and iridescence makes the material the most realistic-looking option
• Ceramic crown (another name for a porcelain crown)
• Silver crown: A blend of nickel, tin and copper is used to create a corrosion-resistant crown with a metallic appearance - we do not recommend silver crowns as it has a short lifespan (5 years) and looks unnatural in the mouth
• Gold crown: A hard-wearing alloy made from 16 carat gold - we do not recommend gold crowns as it can cause additional wear to adjacent teeth
• Metal crown (another name for a silver crown)

Discuss your options with your dentist.

Yorkshire Dental Suite has optimised the dental crown procedure. Our highly-skilled dentists efficiently work until you have the perfect smile once again. We will keep you only as long as is necessary, allowing you to get on with your day.

The basic procedure

1. Submit an enquiry
2. You will be called by a booking consultant to discuss your treatment options and finance. We will then match your availability with that of your nearest available dentist
3. An in-person consultation costs £65. This includes registration, an oral examination, X-rays, CT scans and photographs. Prices will be fixed and you can agree a finance plan. You are then able to book a day for your treatment
4. During your treatment your tooth is modified, and a temporary crown is fit
5. Our lab crafts your new natural-looking crown using zirconia or porcelain
6. At your next appointment your temporary crown is removed, and your final one fit

Preparation for a dental crown

In preparation for your dental crown you should:

• Have any gum disease treated
• Ensure your teeth are clean by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and interdental brushes or floss
• Avoid food or drink that could stain your teeth
• Avoid smoking or vaping before your procedure
• If you want to be kind to your dentist, use a sugar-free mint

To prepare you for your dental crown a dentist will:

• Treat any signs of plaque/tartar and gum disease or refer you to a hygienist - this could mean a hygiene appointment or GBT (Guided Biofilm Therapy)
• You will be offered sedation to help you stay calm, relaxed and pain-free
• Your tooth will be shaped, allowing a crown to securely fit on top

Temporary dental crown

Your temporary dental crown is worn while your final one is being made in our laboratory. This crown is made from acrylic and less durable than your final zirconia or porcelain crown. As a result, you should avoid biting or chewing hard, crunchy or sticky food with your crown. This stays in place for around seven days, after which it is replaced with your final crown.

How long do dental crowns last?

Dental crowns last around 15 years. They can last much longer if they are cared for. While zirconia and porcelain crowns are hard wearing and lack any susceptibility to cavities, they are not indestructible.

Dental crown aftercare

To preserve your crown and ensure it delivers many years of use, please follow these instructions:

• Attend regular dental check-ups and hygiene appointments; this helps your dentist to identify issues before they become major problems
• Brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste, using a soft-bristled toothbrush (be sure to clean the whole tooth, paying particular attention to your gumline)
• Use floss or interdental brushes, be careful not to catch under your crown, which can cause it to become loose
• Avoid acidic food and drink which can degrade the bond between your tooth and crown; if this is unavoidable, please rinse regularly with water during your meal
• Avoid biting hard objects such as pen barrels, pen lids, keys, metal nails etc. as these can damage your crown

After having your temporary crown fitted

Your temporary crown is not as hard wearing as your permanent porcelain crown. As a result, you should take care not to bite down on hard foods or objects and limit your diet to soft foods. If your teeth are sensitive, or your gums feels painful, you can take over-the-counter pain medication. This will help to alleviate your symptoms.

Dental crowns and root canals

Many patients choose to have a dental crown when they have a root canal treatment. This covers the area, providing a hard-wearing protective shell to the tooth.

Alternatively if you are having a root canal procedure, discuss composite bonding with your dentist.

Risks and benefits of dental crowns

As with any type of surgery there are risks and benefits that you should be aware of before making your decision. We have outlined these below:

Advantages of dental crowns

If you are thinking of getting dental crowns, then it is likely you are focused on relieving pain. However, crowns come with some benefits you might not have considered:

• Removes pain
• Preserves the tooth root: Your underlying tooth remains in place
• Maintains bone density: Keeping the original tooth root preserves your bone density; this stops your mouth from puckering, which could make you look older
• Replaces worn, broken, discoloured and decayed teeth, improving your aesthetic
• Protects teeth from further erosion with a new hard-wearing crown
• Improves chewing, helping you to bite down confidently
• Enhances appearance, helping you to smile confidently
• Lasts 15+ years with proper care

Disadvantages of dental crowns

To help you fully evaluate your treatment, we have listed some of the disadvantages of having dental crowns below:

• Requires removal of natural tooth enamel to provide a surface for the crown to bond to your natural tooth (this is irreversible)
• Temporarily makes teeth sensitive (this stops after a few weeks)
• Can break or fracture just like your natural teeth
• Can trap bacteria and cause decay if not properly fitted, contact your dentist if you feel discomfort
• Can rarely cause allergic reactions; check for sensitive gums, swelling and irritation
• It's an expensive cosmetic treatment that fixes a wide range of issues

Potential complications

No medical procedure is without risk. To help you to better understand the treatment in full we have listed potential complications below. If you experience any issues during or after your treatment, please call your dentist for advice and support.

• Sensitive teeth: Your teeth will be sensitive for up to two weeks after your treatment. This is normal. Take any appropriate over-the-counter pain medicine. You should also continue to brush your teeth using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. In addition to this, use floss or interdental brushes and rinse with a fluoride mouthwash.
• Altered speech: It may take time for your mouth and tongue to become used to your new tooth. While this happens, your speech can be affected, and you may slur your words.
• Infection or inflammation: The initial procedure can cause gums to become sore and sensitive. This should stop after a few weeks. If you experience ongoing pain, please contact your dentist.
• Bleeding: Like having sensitive gums, your gums may bleed for a short period after your treatment. If this continues, please speak to your dentist.

Dangers of dental crowns

Dangers is a strong word. If you’re looking for reasons that might deter you from having dental crowns then we have produced the following guide:

1. The procedure permanently modifies your tooth and cannot be reversed. This means you will potentially need to update your crowns every 5-20 years depending on its condition.
2. Failing to properly care for your crown can cause the tooth underneath to rot. This creates cavities and potentially requires a root canal treatment.
3. Crowns can chip and break just like an ordinary tooth.
4. Crowns cannot be whitened like a natural tooth. This can mean they discolour at a different rate to your other teeth.
5. Crowns can become loose and develop sharp edges that irritate your inner cheek, tongue and gums. Please consult your doctor if you think your crown is becoming loose.

Alternatives to dental crowns

There are many alternatives to having dental crowns. Each has its strengths and weaknesses and not all solutions apply to all.

• Veneers: Suitable if only the outward face or edge of the tooth is damaged
• Tooth extraction: Suitable if the tooth root is damaged
• Dental implant: Replaces the entire tooth and root if damage is extensive
• Composite bonding: Cosmetically fixes cracks and chips
• Inlay: Fixes localised damage across the centre of the tooth
• Onlay: Fixes localised damage across the top of the tooth

With proper sedation, the procedure of getting dental crowns will be painless. Discuss your sedation options during your dental consultation to better understand your options and outcomes. For the next few days and lasting up to two weeks your tooth can be sensitive to hot and cold, and your gums may become inflamed and sore. This can be managed by some temporary tweaks to your diet and over-the-counter pain medication.

24 hours after getting your permanent crown

In the first 12-24 hours of having your permanent crown fitted, the dental cement used to attach the crown to your tooth will still be setting. During this time, we recommend continuing a soft food diet to avoid damaging or displacing your new crown.

First two weeks after your treatment

For the first two weeks following your procedure, your teeth can be sensitive to hot and cold, and your gums may be sore. During this time you should continue to maintain your oral hygiene routine. You should also consider avoiding hot and cold food and drink that trigger sensitivity.

Two weeks+ after your treatment

Once your mouth has adjusted to your new crowns and any sensitivity or inflammation has gone, you are free to eat and drink as normal. You should still be aware that crowns are not indestructible. As a result, we recommend you avoid overly hard and crunchy foods. These include nuts, ice cubes and popcorn, as well as chewing gum, toffee and peanut butter. Avoid sticky foods to stop them from chipping or cracking.

To preserve the whiteness of your new crowns you should consider avoiding foods known to stain teeth. These include:

• Coffee, cola and red wine
• Tomato sauces and curries
• Acidic food and drinks
• Alcohol

Sometimes eating food that has the potential to stain your crowns is unavoidable. Preserve the whiteness of your teeth by swilling with water between meals and brushing your teeth as soon as you get home.

My crown fell out, there’s no tooth left

If your crown has fallen out and there’s no tooth left to attach a replacement crown to, then it is likely your tooth has been weakened or decayed. Your options are numerous, including:

• Removing the tooth and leaving a gap
• Removing the tooth and replacing it with a dental implant
• A crown or implant-retained bridge
• A partial denture

Please discuss your situation with a YDS dentist to identify the best solution for you.

Dental crown soreness

After having a dental crown some patients report sore gums. This can be due to unavoidable debris caused by the treatment. This can get stuck around your gum line and become an irritation.

Tooth pain under crown comes and goes

If you have dental crowns and are experiencing pain underneath that comes and goes, you could have a cavity, nerve pain or gum disease.

• Crowns do not fully cover your tooth and there can be some of your natural tooth showing that is susceptible to cavities
• Nerve pain could be a sign that you need a root canal treatment
• If you are struggling to effectively clean your teeth you could develop gum disease

If you are experiencing intermittent pain under your crown please contact your dentist.

I have a loose crown

If you have a loose crown don’t panic! Call your dentist and request an emergency appointment. In most cases your crown can be cleaned and reattached using fresh dental cement. If the crown or tooth is damaged then you may need a temporary crown replaced by a fully new crown. Alternatively, your dentist can advise on alternative treatments.

If you have damaged your crown, or it has become loose, then it will need replacing. To do so your dentist will:

1. Use a solution that breaks down the bond between your crown and tooth
2. Remove the crown
3. Clean the tooth and gum thoroughly
4. Take a 3D scan or mould of your tooth

This allows your dental lab to create a new crown that fits securely over your tooth. If you are worried about damaging your new tooth ask about a zirconia crown, which is significantly stronger than a natural tooth.

How often should dental crowns be replaced?

As mentioned earlier, dental crowns have an impressive lifespan, delivering up to 15 years of wear. Some can last even longer. We recommend replacing your dental crown when it begins to show signs of damage, or feels loose in the mouth.

These are common signs that indicate you are in need of a dental crown replacement:

• Visible cracks
• Visible chips
• Loose, wobbly feeling
• Persistent pain or sensitivity
• Infection
• Difficulty when chewing
• Changes in bite alignment
• Gum recession around the crown