Read more about dental crowns here and contact us for further questions.
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a replacement for the part of your tooth that is broken.
It goes in and replaces the natural dental crown, which can be damaged for various reasons.
If a tooth is damaged to such an extent that regular dental fillings are not sufficient, the tooth can be rebuilt and strengthened with a crown. The crown can be described as a capsule that is placed on top of what remains of the natural part of the tooth.
It acts as a strong, protective cap that is placed on top of the tooth with solid material - and looks like a completely natural part of the tooth. That way, a crown can be used to rebuild the tooth.
A dental crown is not only necessary for tooth protection. A dental crown treatment can also be done if you need better bite function or you want to improve the appearance of your tooth.
A dental crown is produced by a dental technician in either pure gold, porcelain or metal ceramic (a mixture of porcelain and metal).
When do you need a dental crown?
There are various reasons why you may need a crown. What they all have in common is that your tooth is so damaged that a crown is a necessity.
Your tooth is broken
If you have a severely broken tooth that cannot be saved with plastic fillings, a dental crown may be necessary. In such a case, the dental crown will act as a safeguard to prevent the tooth from breaking further. It will enclose the entire tooth and protect it from stresses when you chew.
A caries attack that can't be saved with a filling
If you have a tooth that is badly affected by decay, a plastic filling may not be possible. The "walls" of the tooth may be too thin to hold the filling and a crown will be needed to protect the tooth.
A tooth that has previously had a silver filling
In the past, it was common to fill cavities with silver, also known as amalgam. However, it has been found that silver expands over time when it comes into contact with heat or cold. As a result, the tooth also expands and will eventually crack under even a small load.
All our patients are therefore recommended to replace their old silver fillings with new plastic fillings. However, replacing with a plastic filling is not always enough. If this is the case, we will place a crown to secure the tooth from cracking.
If you have a root canal treated tooth
A root canal treated tooth is basically a weakened tooth. When a tooth has undergone root canal treatment, it tends to become "dry". This means that it breaks more easily and therefore needs an extra layer of protection. At Tandlægerne Glostrup, we always recommend a dental crown to ensure the longevity of the tooth.
You are upset about the appearance of your teeth
If you are unhappy with the appearance of one of your teeth, you can change it with a crown. In addition to protecting the tooth, a crown also mimics the original tooth.
How does a crown treatment work?
A crown is usually made in 3 stages:
1st phase: Preparation
In this phase, the tooth is prepared. First, the remains of the tooth are sanded down so that the future crown can fit neatly, stably and tightly. Then a silicone impression is taken, which the technician will use in the 2nd phase. A temporary cap is then applied to protect the remaining tooth.
2nd phase: Technician
The silicone impression is passed on to a dental technician who specializes in making crowns. From the impression, the final crown is produced in either gold or metal ceramic.
Metal-ceramic is a highly durable type of porcelain with the advantage of achieving a cosmetically pleasing result, as the crown will look like a true replica of your original tooth in shade and material.
3rd phase: Cementing
Once the crown is complete, it will be returned to the dentist and you will be called in. The dentist will remove the temporary cap and cement the crown. This means that the crown will be permanently attached and sit like a tight-fitting protective cap over the old tooth.
What is a dental crown made of?
A crown for the tooth can be made of either gold, metal ceramic or porcelain. They all have their own advantages and are recommended depending on the circumstances of the tooth.
- A gold crown is a very durable and solid solution - and the oldest of its kind. The advantage of a gold crown is that many people find it soft and easy to chew on. At the same time, gold crowns provide what we call a good edge connection. This means that the crown ensures a tight and even surface with the tooth, which means that fewer bacteria have room to settle. It is also because of the very strong material that more people choose gold crowns to repair their molars.
However, we typically only recommend gold crowns for teeth that are not visible when smiling, as a tooth with a gold crown does not look like a natural tooth.
- A metal-ceramic crown is made from a mixture of metal and porcelain, where the metal is the inner part of the crown and the porcelain is the outer part. It is a very strong form of dental crown that dental clinics have used for many years. The metal-ceramic crown also provides a fine edge connection. It can therefore be used on all teeth - front teeth as well as molars. This makes it a solution that is both aesthetically pleasing and durable.
- An all-ceramic crown is made entirely of porcelain. Pure porcelain is also a strong material and resembles a natural tooth. Therefore, it is often the preferred choice as it looks just like a natural tooth. However, there are differences in which porcelain material to use, as it can vary greatly from patient to patient. For example, some patients suffer from bruxism, which means that the tooth is exposed to a lot of pressure on a daily basis.
How much does a dental crown cost?
Depending on which crown treatment you want, the price will also vary. Here you can see our prices.
If you are a member of Sygeforsikring Danmark, you can also get a subsidy. The reimbursement depends on which group you belong to.
FAQ - Dental crowns
Yes, there is a difference between a dental crown and a dental bridge. A dental crown is an artificial "cap" that covers a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its shape, size and function. A dental bridge, on the other hand, is a fixed prosthesis used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring to neighboring teeth. Both are used to improve tooth function and aesthetics.
Dental crowns are placed for several reasons: to protect a weakened tooth (e.g. after root canal treatment), rebuild a broken or worn tooth, cover a large filling, improve the appearance of the tooth, or finish a dental implant procedure. Dental crowns strengthen and stabilize teeth and help maintain good bite function and a beautiful smile.
A dental crown typically lasts between 5 and 15 years, but in some cases can last longer, up to 25-30 years. The durability depends on the material, proper care and oral hygiene, as well as individual factors such as bite and tooth wear. Regular dental visits and good oral hygiene can significantly extend the life of the dental crown.
Contact us and get advice
If you have any doubts or questions, don't hesitate to contact us.
- I look forward to meeting you in the clinic.
- Dentist
Year of birth: 1988
I have been employed at Tandlægerne i Glostrup since March 1, 2018. On a daily basis, I work to treat and prevent disease in your mouth.
What I am passionate about is giving people a nice and well-functioning set of teeth painlessly and in a safe environment.
Contact Tandliv for questions
Do you have questions about dental crowns, prices or the treatment process?
Contact Tandliv today and get answers to your questions.
