Your Guide to Dental Crowns
What a dental crown is, when you might need one, the other options, what happens during treatment, and how to look after your crown.
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a cap that fits over your tooth. It covers the whole tooth down to the gum line. It brings back the shape, size and strength of a tooth that is damaged, weak or heavily filled.
Crowns can be made from several materials. The most common are:
- Zirconia. A strong, tooth-coloured ceramic. It is now the most widely used material. It lasts well and suits both front and back teeth.
- Porcelain fused to metal (PFM). A metal inner layer with a porcelain outer coat. It is reliable and has been used for a long time. Over time, the metal edge can sometimes show at the gum line.
- All-porcelain or lithium disilicate (e.max). These look very natural. They are mostly used for front teeth, or when looks matter most.
- Gold alloy. Very hard-wearing and gentle on the teeth it bites against. Because of its gold colour, it is mostly chosen for back teeth that do not show when you smile.
Your dental team will talk about which material suits your tooth, where it is in your mouth, and what you prefer.
Why might I need a crown?
Your dental team may suggest a crown for several reasons:
- A tooth that has had root canal treatment. These teeth can become brittle and are more likely to break.
- A large filling that takes up most of the tooth. The tooth that is left is too weak to hold another filling.
- A cracked or broken tooth
- A broken tooth that a filling alone cannot fix
- To support a dental bridge
- To cover a dental implant
- To improve how a tooth looks if it is badly stained or misshapen
What are my alternatives?
There may be other options. It depends on how much healthy tooth is left:
- A large filling. This works if enough healthy tooth is left to support it. But it may not protect the tooth from breaking as well as a crown.
- An inlay or onlay. This covers only part of the biting surface. Less of the tooth is shaped away than for a crown. It is not always suitable.
- Taking the tooth out (extraction). If the tooth is too damaged to repair in any way, taking it out may be the only option. You would then need a way to replace the tooth.
- No treatment. Leaving a badly damaged tooth untreated risks it breaking, breaking down further, and causing pain. You could lose the tooth in an unplanned way.
What happens during treatment?
Getting a crown usually takes two appointments.
First appointment: preparing the tooth
- Your tooth is numbed with a numbing injection (local anaesthetic).
- Your dental team shapes the tooth. They remove a thin, even layer from all sides to make room for the crown.
- A mould (impression) is taken of the shaped tooth and the teeth around it.
- A temporary crown is fitted to protect the tooth. A dental lab makes your permanent crown. This usually takes 2–3 weeks.
Second appointment: fitting the crown
- The temporary crown is taken off.
- The permanent crown is checked for fit, shape and colour.
- When you and your dental team are happy, the crown is cemented in place for good.
Some practices use a digital scan instead of a mould. Practices with their own milling machine can make same-day crowns.
Risks and possible problems
Common (affect more than 1 in 10 people):
- Sensitivity to hot or cold after the crown is fitted. This usually settles within a few weeks.
- Mild soreness around the gum edge for a few days
- Needing a small change to your bite
Uncommon (affect about 1 in 10 to 1 in 100 people):
- The nerve in the shaped tooth may develop problems (pulp problems) and need root canal treatment. This can happen if the tooth was already in poor health before it was shaped.
- The crown may feel uncomfortable or not fit well the first time. It may need adjusting or making again.
- Chipping of the porcelain. This is more likely if you grind your teeth.
Rare (affect fewer than 1 in 100 people):
- The crown comes loose or falls off. It can usually be cemented back on.
- An allergic reaction to the materials used (very uncommon)
With good care, a crown usually lasts 10–15 years or longer. Grinding your teeth, poor cleaning and a sugary diet can shorten its life.
Caring for your crown
A crowned tooth needs the same care as a natural tooth:
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between your teeth every day with floss or small brushes (interdental brushes). Take extra care where the crown meets the gum.
- Go to regular dental check-ups.
- Tell your dental team if you grind your teeth at night. A night guard may help protect the crown.
- Do not bite very hard foods, such as ice or hard sweets, on the crown.
Questions to ask your dental team
- What material do you suggest for my crown, and why?
- How much of my tooth will be left after it is shaped?
- Is there any chance I will need root canal treatment on this tooth?
- How long should this crown last with good care?
- What would happen if I chose not to have a crown yet?
This leaflet is for general information only and does not replace professional dental advice. It is intended to support — not replace — the discussion with your dental team about your individual options, risks, and treatment plan. Treatment outcomes vary between patients depending on individual circumstances. Your dental team will confirm exact fees and what is suitable for your specific circumstances before you agree to any treatment.
Sources
- Crowns, Fixed Bridges and Dental Implants: Guidelines. British Society for Restorative Dentistry, 2013.
- Dental treatments. NHS website (nhs.uk), reviewed July 2026.
- Crowns. Oral Health Foundation.
Links checked 18 October 2026.
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Related leaflets
For clinicians: Crown Preparation notes template, Crown Fit notes template.
Learn more about dental documentation on our blog or see Nosht pricing.