Do you have a chipped, cracked or damaged tooth that is causing a problem? Dental crowns is a proven solution that’s been helping Australians restore their smiles for decades.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap covering a damaged tooth to restore its shape and function. It serves as a protective helmet for your damaged tooth, looking and functioning just like a real tooth.
What makes crowns special:
- Custom-made to match your natural teeth perfectly.
- Made from porcelain, ceramic, metal, or resin.
- Permanently cemented onto your existing tooth. Restores shape, size, strength, and appearance.
Once cemented into place, the crown becomes the new outer surface of your tooth, protecting the vulnerable structure underneath whilst restoring your smile.
When Do You Actually Need a Crown?
After Root Canal Treatment
If you’ve had a root canal, you’ll almost certainly need a crown. The procedure removes the tooth’s nerve and blood supply, leaving it brittle and prone to fracture. The good news is that root canal saves teeth that would otherwise need extraction, and a crown ensures your treated tooth lasts for years.
Large Cavities and Extensive Decay
When tooth decay becomes too extensive for a regular filling, crowns step in. For smaller cavities, tooth coloured fillings work brilliantly many patients prefer them over traditional amalgam, especially for front teeth where appearance matters.
When you need a crown instead:
- More than half the tooth is compromised
- Multiple large fillings have weakened the tooth
- Standard filling won’t provide enough support
Other Common Reasons
Structural damage from accidents often requires crowns—cracked teeth from biting something hard or severely worn teeth from years of grinding. They’re also brilliant for cosmetic improvements, covering severely discoloured or misshapen teeth whilst strengthening them. Crowns play an important role in cosmetic dentistry, often transforming smiles by addressing multiple concerns in one treatment.
Types of Crown Materials
Porcelain and Ceramic Crowns
These are the go-to choice for front teeth and highly visible areas. Porcelain crowns blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, offering that translucent quality that makes them virtually undetectable. E.MAX porcelain offers excellent strength whilst maintaining outstanding aesthetics.
Best for:
- Front teeth and visible areas
- Patients want the most natural appearance
- Anyone with metal sensitivities
Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia represents the best of both worlds—nearly as strong as metal but with a natural tooth-like appearance. These crowns handle significant chewing forces, making them suitable for back teeth whilst still looking good.
Gold and Metal Crowns
Because of their durable nature, gold and metal crowns last between 15 and 30 years. They also require less preparation of the tooth, allowing you to keep more of your tooth structure. The downside to these crowns is their metal appearance, making them more appropriate for the back teeth.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM)
These crowns offer a combination of a metal base for strength and porcelain for aesthetic value. Because of this, they are more versatile and can be used on front and back teeth. However, they can cause a dark line at the gum line after some time.
The Crown Process: What Happens at Your Appointments
Getting a dental crown typically requires two visits to your dentist, spaced about two weeks apart.
First Visit: Preparation (60-90 minutes)
The first appointment lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. Your dentist checks the tooth, and takes x-rays and sees if the tooth is healthy. When you are comfortable, the dentist, under local anaesthetic, will remove any decay and reshape the tooth. About 1 to 2 mm of enamel is removed all around the teeth.
What happens:
- Tooth is reshaped and prepared
- Digital scan or impression taken
- Shade selected to match your teeth
- Temporary crown placed for protection
Modern practices often use digital scanners, which are far more comfortable than traditional putty impressions. The temporary crown protects your tooth whilst the permanent one is being crafted, usually takes about two weeks.
Second Visit: Final Placement (30-60 minutes)
During this consultation, your dentist removes the provisional crown, assesses the new crown, and checks the fit, bite, and shade match. If everything is satisfactory, the crown will be permanently cemented, followed by polishing.
How Crowns Compare to Other Treatments
Crowns vs. Fillings
For smaller cavities, fillings are simpler and more affordable. However, when damage is extensive, a crown provides better long-term protection. Fillings repair part of a tooth, whilst crowns protect the entire structure.
Crowns vs. Veneers
Veneers only cover the front of a tooth, and work best to improve the appearance of teeth that have a strong structure. Crowns are necessary for damaged or weakened teeth because they provide the structural support that veneers cannot.
Crowns vs. Orthodontics
For straightening crooked teeth, clear aligners like Invisalign have become increasingly popular with Australian adults. Unlike traditional braces, they’re removable and virtually invisible. However, crowns can sometimes address minor cosmetic alignment issues without needing orthodontic treatment.
What Does a Dental Crown Cost in Australia?
The investment for a dental crown typically ranges from $1,500 to $2,500 per tooth. Porcelain and zirconia crowns tend to sit at the higher end, whilst metal crowns can be slightly more affordable.
Payment options available:
- Health fund coverage (usually 50% under major dental)
- Payment plans (Afterpay, Humm)
- Bulk billing for eligible children
Caring for Your Crown
Caring for your crown is easy. Treat it like a natural tooth. Brushing after meals, flossing, and following a six-month check-up routine
Avoid the following:
- Using your teeth as tools (opening bottles or packages)
- Chewing ice or very hard candies
- Biting hard foods
- Not wearing a nightguard if you grind at night
Most crowns will last 10-15 years or longer with proper care. Metal crowns can last 20-30 years. Porcelain crowns will have to be replaced more often than 30 years if heavy forces are applied.
Special Considerations
For Children and Families
When kids need protection for badly decayed baby teeth, children’s dentists often use stainless steel crowns. These pre-made crowns are quick to place, affordable, and last until the baby tooth falls out naturally protecting the tooth whilst maintaining proper spacing.
For Adults with Specific Needs
Your crown choice depends on various factors. If you’ve got a heavy bite or grind your teeth at night, zirconia or metal crowns offer better durability. If aesthetics are your top priority, porcelain provides the most natural appearance.
Crown Aftercare: The First Few Days
Sensitivity after getting your permanent crown is normal. Your tooth just needs time for the new restoration to settle in.
The first 48 hours:
- Avoid eating until the anaesthetic wears off.
- For the first few days, stick to soft foods and avoid extremely hot or cold foods.
- Some level of sensitivity is normal.
Discomfort will most likely subside within a week to two weeks. If your crown feels high when you bite down, or you have acute pain, please contact your dentist. In most cases, simple adjustments will help.
Why Quality Matters
Not all crowns are created equal. A quality crown fits perfectly at the gum line, feels comfortable when you bite, and lasts for many years. Poor quality crowns can lead to gum irritation, food trapping, and premature failure.
Signs of a quality crown:
- Perfect fit with no gaps
- Natural appearance
- Comfortable bite
- Smooth margins at the gum line
Always choose an experienced dentist who uses reputable dental laboratories. It might be tempting to shop for the cheapest option, but a crown is an investment in your oral health.
Making Your Decision
If your dentist has recommended a crown, here’s the truth: delaying treatment rarely makes things better. A tooth that needs a crown today might need extraction and a more expensive implant if left untreated.
Don’t hesitate to ask your dentist which material they recommend, how long the crown should last, what payment options are available, and what happens if there’s a problem. A good dentist will explain everything clearly and help you make an informed decision.
The Bottom Line
Dental crowns are the most reliable and effective solutions in dentistry. For damaged teeth, they restore full function and give back your smile.
Crown placement options provide lasting, quality results whether required post-root canal treatment, to break repair, or to complete cosmetic procedures. Remember that your Teeth won’t fix themselves, and early treatment always beat waiting.
