Dental crowns at Essex Family Dental
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What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a bespoke cap that sits over an existing damaged tooth or attaches to an implant. It’s moulded to the shape of your natural tooth and colour-matched to the surrounding teeth too, so it can be made to look and feel just as good as the original and, as a permanent treatment option, will last for many years to come.
Why are dental crowns needed?
Crowns are a great treatment option for you if you:
- have a damaged or weakened / cracked tooth that needs to be protected
- are suffering with a missing tooth and need an implant; the crown would attach to the implant as a replacement for the original tooth
- have severe tooth decay which can’t be rectified with a filling
- need to stabilise a bridge
- have had a root canal treatment and need to protect the remaining tooth
Colour-matched dental crowns improve the appearance of the natural tooth and protect it from any further damage, thereby preserving it for the future.
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What options are available?
Porcelain onlays are the least invasive option. They protect the longevity of your existing tooth by retaining most of it intact and because they rebuild the shape and colour of your tooth, you’ll see the best match. Porcelain onlays are only available as an independent treatment option.
Full porcelain crowns are the next best match available, replicating the shape, size and colour of your existing teeth. Full porcelain crowns are also only available as an independent treatment option, not as an NHS treatment.
Porcelain fused on metal crowns are the standard crown available for front teeth on the NHS. Though durable, the metal underlay gives the crown a slightly grey appearance next to surrounding teeth and the metal may also be visible at the gum line.
Metal crowns provide the least natural appearance because the silver colour does stand out in your mouth, however, they are the NHS option for back teeth and provide durability and strength.
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What’s the procedure to have a crown fitted?
If a crown is needed to protect / repair a damaged tooth, then your dentist will do some work on your tooth first to prepare it for the crown. After taking x-rays of your mouth, if required, the outer layer of your tooth will be filed down and any weakened areas will be removed so that the tooth is able to hold the crown. A digital impression of your tooth and the surrounding teeth will be taken using our state of the art digital diagnostics technology and this will be sent off to the lab to make your bespoke crown. While waiting for your crown to be ready, you’ll be fitted with a temporary crown to protect your original tooth. Once the new crown has been received from the lab, your temporary crown will be replaced with the new crown, which will be cemented in place alongside your other teeth.
How much do dental crowns cost?
An individual crown, including x-rays, assessments, a temporary crown and a check-up, usually costs from £30 per month with discounts available for multiple crowns as well as 0% finance* payment options. Initial check-ups cost £37 and will be factored into the price of the treatment should you decide to go ahead.
Where can I get a dental crown?
This treatment is available at the following practice locations:
Have you thought about?
Private dentistry, a dental care plan, a hygienist treatment or dental cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening and composite bonding.
Composite bonding
If you’ve been dreaming of the perfect smile but don’t want to undergo any permanent procedures that involve removal of part of the tooth, then composite bonding might be the best solution to bring out the best in your smile. Composite bonding is a non-invasive tooth restoration treatment that changes the shape and colour of your teeth through the application of a tooth-coloured resin onto the tooth’s natural surface, whilst also protecting the integrity of your natural teeth.
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Dental plans
A dental plan makes it simple to stay on top of your oral health, even with a busy schedule. By planning routine care in advance, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy all year round with ease and confidence.
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Hygiene appointments
Regular hygiene visits help keep your teeth clean, bright and free from staining while also supporting the long-term health of your gums. Attending appointments at least every six months—alongside routine dental check-ups and good home care—reduces the risk of gum disease, improves overall oral health and helps maintain a fresh, healthy smile.
Private dentistry
Private dental treatment is more accessible than many people realise, offering longer appointments, greater flexibility and the option for same-day availability, all as part of our premium, personalised service.
Teeth whitening
Teeth get stained over time, so teeth whitening is a good way to restore the natural whiteness that may have been dulled by red wine, tea or coffee. Our at-home whitening kits will give you reliable results quickly and will bring the brilliance back to your smile or, alternatively, you can opt for teeth whitening strips.
Frequently asked questions about dental crowns
Dental crowns are strong and built to handle everyday use, but they’re not indestructible so taking good care of your dental crown is really important to ensure it stays in great shape and continues to protect your overall oral health. Do this by:
- keeping up good oral hygiene, such as brushing and flossing
- visiting your dentist regularly; and
- asking your dentist how to protect your teeth at night from teeth-grinding (if relevant)
