Crowns can be made of a variety of different materials and new materials are continually being introduced. Some of the most popular options are metal, porcelain fused to metal or ceramic.

When you and your dentist are happy with the fit and appearance of the new crown, it will be fixed in place with special dental cement or adhesive. The cement forms a seal to hold the crown in place.

How long your crown lasts depends on how well you look after it. Properly cared for crowns should last for many years. Your dental team will be able to tell you how long your crown may be expected to last.

It is important to keep the crown just as clean as you would your natural teeth. The crown itself cannot decay, but decay can start where the edge of the crown joins the tooth. Brush last thing at night and at least one other time during the day with fluoride toothpaste, and clean in between your teeth with ‘interdental’ brushes or floss.

As with all procedures there are risks that need to be considered before having treatment. These include:

• Prolonged numbness

• Sometimes the tooth can be sensitive for a prolonged time.

• Shaping the tooth for the crown may lead to irreversible irritation to the nerve of the tooth, requiring root canal treatment.

The alternative options may include:

• Accepting the current condition of the tooth

• Filling the tooth.

• Extracting the tooth.