A crown covers a damaged tooth completely, restoring its shape and strength — think of it as a protective cap rather than a filling. A bridge replaces a missing tooth by joining a false tooth to crowns on the teeth either side of the gap.
When a crown is the right answer
- After root canal treatment, to protect a tooth that has become brittle
- A tooth that is cracked, or heavily broken down
- A very large old filling with little sound tooth left around it
- A tooth badly worn by grinding
- To restore a dental implant
The general principle: a filling replaces missing tooth structure, a crown protects what remains. When too little sound tooth is left to support a filling, a crown is the more predictable choice.
What the appointments involve
- Preparation. Under anaesthetic, the tooth is shaped to make room for the crown and any decay removed.
- Impression or scan. A record of the prepared tooth and how your teeth meet.
- Temporary crown. Fitted to protect the tooth while the permanent one is made.
- Fitting. The permanent crown is tried in, checked for fit, shade and bite, then cemented.
While you have the temporary crown
It is held with weak cement so it can be removed easily. Avoid sticky and hard foods on that side, and clean carefully — slide floss out sideways rather than pulling it up, which can lift the temporary off. If it does come off, keep it and call us; do not leave the prepared tooth uncovered.
Bridges
A bridge is fixed in place and does not come out. Its main drawback is that it requires the teeth on either side of the gap to be cut down to take crowns — and if those teeth are healthy and untouched, that is a real cost to weigh. An implant replaces the missing tooth without involving its neighbours, which is why we usually discuss both.
A bridge may be the better choice when the adjacent teeth already need crowning anyway, when there is not enough bone for an implant, or when a shorter treatment time matters.
Caring for crowns and bridges
The crown itself cannot decay, but the natural tooth underneath and at the margin can. That margin, where crown meets tooth, is the vulnerable point.
- Brush twice daily, paying attention to the gumline
- Clean between the teeth daily; under a bridge, use a floss threader or interdental brush to clean beneath the false tooth
- Avoid chewing ice, pens or very hard foods
- If you grind your teeth, ask us about a night guard
Common questions
Will it look natural?
Shade is matched to your neighbouring teeth. For front teeth the material choice matters most for appearance, and we will discuss the options before preparing the tooth.
How long do they last?
Many years with good care, though this depends on the bite, grinding habits, and whether decay develops at the margin. Regular check-ups exist partly to catch that early.
My crown came off. Is it an emergency?
Not usually, but do not delay. Keep the crown, avoid chewing on that side, and contact us — it can often be recemented. Do not attempt to glue it yourself. See emergency care if the exposed tooth is painful.
What it costs
We do not publish a price list, because the right treatment — and so the price — depends on what we find when we examine you. What we promise instead:
- A written treatment plan and quote before any work begins
- No charges you have not agreed to first
- Payment by MTN MoMo, Airtel Money or card
Nervous about this treatment?
Tell us when you book. We allow extra time, explain each step before we do it, and stop whenever you ask us to.