Porcelain crowns (tooth crowns, caps or dental crowns) are a little bit like a helmet. They are there to cover an existing weak or fragile tooth to protect and keep the tooth. At our Leederville Clinic, we offer a variety of these crowns.
Why a crown? Your tooth may have cracked because it has been under excessive load or been worn away due to cavities or physical injury. Sometimes, teeth are worn away due to bruxism or teeth grinding.
What are dental crowns made of? A dental crown is placed on your tooth to prevent further damage and provide you with a functional, natural-looking tooth.
Tooth crowns can be made of porcelain, gold alloy, zirconia, Emax or PFM/PBM. At Oxford Street Dental, our crowns are usually made of porcelain.
Crowns can improve the longevity, function and appearance of your teeth in myriad ways:
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Cover stained or discoloured teeth
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Prevent teeth that have had large fillings or have large cracks from breaking
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Be part of a dental bridge
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Cover a misshapen tooth
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Restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been extremely worn down
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Cover a dental implant
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Make a cosmetic modification
Porcelain crowns: the most beautiful
Full porcelain crowns are considered to be the most beautiful, aesthetically appealing crowns. They are available in colours to match your teeth, with the porcelain taking on a look incredibly similar to natural teeth.
Porcelain crown maintenance
Maintaining your dental crown is easy, in fact, it is similar to caring for a normal tooth. Simply brush your teeth daily with a nonabrasive toothpaste and floss.
This dental information has been medically reviewed by Australian dental surgeon Dr Aran Moorthy, BDS. Dr Moorthy has a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Adelaide. Read more about Dr Moorthy >
All surgical procedures carry risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Porcelain crown FAQs
How long should a tooth crown last?
Depending on the material of your dental crown, it should last between five and 15 years. With the newer porcelain crowns that we use today, we would expect at least 15 years’ wear.
Remember, the longevity of your crown will depend on several factors such as good oral hygiene (keeping your tooth free of dental plaque and having regular preventative dental appointments), avoiding accident or trauma, tooth grinding and chewing/biting forces.
When should I get a tooth crown replaced?
Several factors may lead to you replacing your crown: a less than desirable cosmetic appearance (due to receding gums or the colour no longer matching the neighbouring teeth), trauma, breakage or damage, tooth decay complications or excessive wear.
How much do dental crowns cost?
The price of a crown will depend on the type of crown used; however, usually it will be between $1499 to $1999, before applying your health fund rebate.
Read more dental crown FAQs here.