Dental crowns are a common way to restore teeth that have been damaged, weakened or extensively treated. While the main dental crowns page covers what crowns are, the different types available and what the treatment process involves, you may still have questions about whether a crown is right for you, how many crowns you can have, or whether crowns are safe. Understanding how crowns compare with other restorations and what to consider before treatment can help you have a more informed discussion with your dentist.
When might you need a dental crown?
A dental crown is designed to cover and protect a damaged or weakened tooth. Your dentist may recommend one when a tooth has lost a significant amount of its natural structure and needs more support than a filling can provide. A crown may be considered if a tooth is:
- Severely decayed.
- Cracked or fractured.
- Broken or significantly worn down.
- Weakened after root canal treatment.
- Supporting a large filling with relatively little natural tooth structure remaining.
- Misshapen or severely discoloured and in need of restoration.
Crowns can also be used as part of dental implant treatment, where a crown replaces the visible part of a missing tooth. The aim is generally to preserve a natural tooth where possible. Your dentist will assess the condition of the tooth and surrounding tissues before deciding whether a crown is an appropriate option.
Dental crowns vs dental bridges: What is the difference?
Dental crowns and dental bridges are both used to restore teeth, but they serve different purposes. A dental crown is placed over an existing tooth to restore and protect it. A dental bridge, on the other hand, is used to replace one or more missing teeth.
A bridge typically uses the teeth next to the gap for support, with one or more artificial teeth filling the space. Crowns may form part of a bridge by covering the supporting teeth. In simple terms, a crown can help restore a tooth that is still present, while a bridge can replace a tooth that is missing. The right option depends on factors such as the condition of your teeth, the health of your gums, the amount of natural tooth structure available and how the restoration will function within your bite.
How many dental crowns can you have?
There is no set maximum number of dental crowns a person can have. The number you may need depends on your individual dental health and the condition of your teeth. Someone with one badly damaged tooth may only need a single crown, while another person may require several crowns to restore multiple teeth. Your dentist will consider factors such as:
- How many teeth are damaged or weakened.
- How much healthy tooth structure remains.
- The position of each tooth.
- The amount of pressure placed on the teeth during chewing.
- The health of the surrounding teeth and gums.
- Your bite.
- Your functional and aesthetic needs.
When several crowns are being considered, the treatment plan should take the overall appearance and function of the teeth into account rather than simply focusing on individual teeth. There are general guidelines regarding the number of crowns that may be used in particular areas of the mouth, but there is no universal number that applies to everyone. Your dentist can assess your teeth and recommend an appropriate treatment plan for your circumstances.
How do you choose the right type of crown?
There are several crown materials available, and your dentist can help you decide which is most appropriate for the tooth being treated. The choice may depend on:
- Whether the tooth is at the front or back of the mouth.
- How visible the tooth is when you smile.
- How much chewing pressure it experiences.
- The amount of natural tooth structure remaining.
- The condition of the surrounding teeth and gums.
- The appearance you want to achieve.
- Strength and durability.
- Your budget.
For example, tooth-coloured ceramic crowns, including zirconia, can provide a very natural-looking result. Zirconia also offers very good strength, which means it can be used for both front and back teeth, including areas exposed to heavier chewing forces. Full-metal crowns are also very strong, but their metallic appearance means that many patients prefer a tooth-coloured restoration where suitable. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns combine a strong metal substructure with a tooth-coloured porcelain outer layer. One limitation is that the porcelain layer can chip or wear over time, which may expose the darker metal underneath and affect the appearance of the crown. The metal margin may also become more noticeable if the gum recedes.
Monolithic zirconia crowns do not have an underlying metal layer, so they do not have the same risk of porcelain chipping and exposing metal. Zirconia can therefore provide a very good combination of strength and aesthetics, which is one reason it is increasingly used for both front and back teeth. Cost can also influence the choice of material. Zirconia crowns can sometimes be more expensive than full-metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, depending on the laboratory and the specific restoration. Your dentist can help you weigh up appearance, strength, the position of the tooth and cost when choosing the most appropriate option.
Are dental crowns safe?
Dental crowns are widely used to restore damaged and weakened teeth. Depending on the type selected, crowns can be made from materials such as porcelain, ceramic and metal alloys. As with any dental treatment, there are potential considerations. Some people may have an allergy or sensitivity to a particular material, although reactions to dental crown materials are uncommon. Tell your dentist if you have any known allergies or have previously reacted to dental materials. A crown also does not make the tooth underneath immune to future dental problems. The crowned tooth and the surrounding gums still need proper oral hygiene and regular dental care. Crowns can last for many years, but they are not necessarily permanent. They can eventually become worn, damaged or require replacement.
Can dental crowns cause cancer?
Concerns about whether dental crowns can cause cancer sometimes arise when people read about the materials used in dental restorations. There is currently no evidence that dental crowns themselves cause cancer. Crowns are made from materials that have been used in restorative dentistry for many years, including porcelain, ceramic and metal alloys. It is important to distinguish concerns about particular dental materials or treatments from evidence specifically relating to dental crowns. For example, discussions about mercury have historically focused on amalgam fillings rather than dental crowns.
If you are worried about the material being recommended for your crown, discuss your concerns with your dentist. They can explain what material is being used, why it has been selected and whether another suitable option is available.
What should you consider before getting a crown?
A dental crown is not automatically the best option for every damaged tooth. Your dentist will need to assess whether the tooth can be restored and what type of restoration is most appropriate. Before having a crown placed, it can be useful to consider:
- Can the natural tooth be saved?
If there is enough healthy tooth structure remaining, a crown may help protect and restore the tooth. However, severely damaged teeth may require a different treatment.
- Would another restoration be more suitable?
Depending on the condition of the tooth, your dentist may recommend another type of restoration instead of a crown. If a tooth is missing altogether, a bridge or another tooth-replacement option may need to be considered.
- Where is the tooth?
The location of the tooth affects both its appearance and the forces placed on it. A front tooth that is visible when you smile has different requirements from a back tooth used heavily for chewing.
- What material is appropriate?
Different crown materials offer different combinations of appearance, strength and durability. Your dentist can help you choose an option that suits the tooth and your individual needs.
- How many teeth need treatment?
If several teeth require crowns, your dentist will consider how they work together as part of your overall bite and smile rather than treating each tooth in isolation.
- What is the condition of your gums and other teeth?
Healthy gums and surrounding teeth are important for the long-term success of dental restorations. Your dentist may recommend treating other dental problems before proceeding with a crown.
How should you look after a dental crown?
A crowned tooth still needs regular dental care. The crown itself may be artificial, but the tooth and tissues surrounding it remain vulnerable to dental problems. Good oral hygiene includes brushing your teeth regularly and cleaning between your teeth as recommended by your dentist. Regular dental check-ups are also important so that your dentist can monitor the crown and the health of the surrounding teeth and gums. Looking after your oral health can help your crown remain functional for as long as possible. However, even with good care, crowns can eventually become worn or damaged and may need to be replaced.
What happens if a crown becomes loose, fractures or comes out?
Although crowns can last for many years, they can occasionally loosen, fracture or come out. This may happen because of trauma, heavy biting forces, tooth grinding, wear over time or problems affecting the tooth underneath. If your crown becomes loose, fractures or comes out, keep the crown if possible and arrange a dental assessment. Avoid trying to permanently reattach it yourself.
When should you speak to a dentist about a crown?
Consider speaking to your dentist if you have a tooth that is:
- Severely damaged or broken.
- Cracked or weakened.
- Heavily filled.
- Significantly worn down.
- Severely decayed.
- Recently treated with a root canal.
You should also speak to your dentist if you have a missing tooth and want to understand whether a bridge or another replacement option may be suitable. If you have several teeth that need restoration, your dentist can assess your overall oral health and develop a treatment plan that considers both function and appearance.
The bottom line on dental crowns
Dental crowns can help restore and protect teeth that have been significantly damaged or weakened. The number of crowns a person can have is not fixed, and the appropriate treatment depends on the condition of the individual teeth, their surrounding structures and the way they function together. Crowns and bridges also have different purposes: a crown restores an existing tooth, while a bridge can replace a missing one.
There are several crown materials available, and the most suitable choice depends on factors such as the tooth’s location, function, appearance and your individual needs. Dental crowns are widely used, and there is currently no evidence that dental crowns cause cancer. If you are considering a crown, we can examine your teeth and discuss the available options with you before recommending the most appropriate treatment.
