routine dental
cosmetic dental
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns, sometimes referred to as 'tooth crowns' or 'caps' are used to cover broken teeth or to realign the appearance of crooked or overcrowded teeth.
Most teeth are suitable for crowning. Even a tooth which no longer has a nerve can be crowned by using a special 'post'. The post is fitted into the root of the tooth and the crown fitted to the post.
Crowns, nowadays made from a range of rigorously researched materials, can last anything up to twenty years. Although, we recommend you have your crowns inspected every ten years or so, just to make sure everything is in order and to ascertain the effects of normal wear and tear.
Porcelain is the material of choice for crowns in modern cosmetic dentistry. Not only is it robust and incredibly durable, it also mimics the slight translucency of natural teeth. When porcelain was initially introduced as a material for crowns, there was an issue with 'posted' crowns, as the gold alloy post was sometimes visible as a shadow within the translucent crown. However, this is no longer a problem as posts are now constructed from fibreglass compounds which can't be seen through the porcelain.
Typically, it will take two or three sessions to fit your crown or crowns. In the first session, impressions are taken and discussions are entered into about the desired final result. For the second session, temporary crowns are created which are then tested for accuracy and effectiveness, to make sure you are perfectly happy to proceed. At the third session (but, not infrequently, at the second), the crowns are permanently fitted.
The cost of a crown can vary depending upon the materials used and whether or not posts are required. On average a single crown will cost somewhere in the region of £300-£400, with posts costing approximately £30 or £40. These costs can be controlled if you join our highly-competitive Dental Care Plan, which offers discounts and easy-payment options.
If you are considering the possibility of having a crown or crowns fitted, speak to one of our specialists in cosmetic dentistry at our Liverpool practice to discuss the wide range of options available.
