Protect a damaged tooth and restore your smile with a dental crown that looks and works just like the real thing.
Reviewed by: Puja Klaire, Bchd Pg Cert Medical Education, Lead Clinical Advisor at Rodericks Dental Partners. Review date: 27th July 2026
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that your dentist can fix to the top of a previously decayed or damaged tooth, to protect the remaining structure and restore your smile. They’re precision-made in a dental laboratory, from hard-wearing materials that mimic your natural teeth down to the finest detail.
A dentist might recommend a crown if your tooth has cracked, decayed or worn down to such a degree that a filling is not possible. They’re also commonly used after root canal treatment.
Dental crowns restore teeth that have been weakened by cavities, fractures or root canals[2], allowing you to smile and bite with confidence.
The crown covers the healthy part of your tooth that remains, preventing further damage or decay
Crowns are custom-made to match the natural shape, colour and contours of the teeth they’re replacing.
A dental crown restores an effective bite and stops the teeth around it from shifting out of position.
Brushing twice a day and attending routine check-ups can extend the life of your dental crown and keep your smile looking its best.
Following an initial consultation, dental crown treatment typically involves two appointments: one to prepare your tooth and another to attach the permanent crown[2].
Your dentist will prepare your tooth for the crown by removing any decayed or damaged areas, preserving as much healthy tooth as possible.
From a 3D scan or impression, your custom-made crown will be created in a specialist dental laboratory, usually from hard-wearing porcelain or zirconia. A temporary crown will protect your tooth in the short-term.
When the permanent crown is ready, your dentist will position it over the remaining part of your tooth, check its size and shape, and then bond it securely in place.
After the fitting, you’ll receive important advice about caring for your crown and the teeth and gums around it, to preserve its life and protect your oral health.
Before going ahead with dental crown treatment, your dentist will want to check[4]:
The natural structure of your existing tooth
Whether any damage extends to your gum line
Cosmetic alternatives and preferences
If you have enough gum and bone support
Any underlying health or dental issues
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Porcelain and ceramic dental crowns offer the most natural appearance of tooth enamel. They can also be perfectly colour-matched to your surrounding teeth. Thanks to their aesthetics, they're the most common choice for tooth crowns[2].
Zirconia crowns are extremely durable and highly resistant to chipping. They can withstand greater forces, making them ideal for molars (back teeth) and patients with a strong bite[2].
PFM crowns combine a durable metal core with a porcelain exterior for strength and aesthetics. Although versatile, these tooth crowns may chip over time and show the metal at the gum line[2].
These dental crowns are made of gold, palladium, nickel, and chromium. They're fairly durable and can withstand chewing and biting forces. Due to their metallic colour, these crowns are most suitable for molars[2].
With routine oral care and a healthy lifestyle, your crown could last for up to 15 years.
Brush around your crown twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, use floss or interdental brushes and attend regular checkups with your dentist and hygienist[1].
Try to avoid biting your nails or using your teeth to open things. Certain foods can also loosen or damage your crown, such as[2]:
hard nuts
ice cubes
popcorn
sticky foods
Crowns are highly durable, but can still be stained by certain foods and lifestyle choices. Try to avoid the following as much as possible[5]:
coffee, tea and red wine
curries and spicy foods
citrus fruits and juices
smoking and vaping
Dental crowns are an investment in your oral health and happiness. Costs will vary depending on the number of crowns you need and the material they’re made from.
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Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about dental crowns.
Crowns are reliably long-lasting treatments. They’re typically made from porcelain or a material called zirconia, known for their durability and life-like appearance. You can expect to keep your crown for up to 15 years if you maintain good oral hygiene and attend regular check-ups.
Modern crowns are produced in specialist dental laboratories. They’re precision-milled, hand-finished and you’ll be amazed at how accurately they mimic your natural teeth, right down to the individual shapes and lines that are unique to you. The end result is a natural-looking tooth that blends seamlessly with your smile.
Crowns are fitted under dental anaesthetic, which numbs the treatment area so you shouldn’t feel any pain. You may have some sensitivity afterwards, especially to hot and cold food and drink. This should typically settle down after a few days.
The bacteria that cause plaque and gum disease can build up in the area where your crown meets your gum, as well as between your crown and natural teeth. It’s important to clean and floss carefully to keep enjoying its benefits for many years to come.
Yes, you can absolutely have Invisalign treatment with a dental crown. As crowns function like natural teeth[2], the underlying root can still be shifted.
Dental crowns are custom-made caps fitted over existing teeth to restore their shape, size, and strength. A dental bridge is a false tooth (or teeth) that replaces missing teeth or fills a gap. Bridges are often anchored on either side by crowns.
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Find out moreNHS Leeds. Crowns. Published 28th February 2025. Available at: https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/patients/resources/crowns/
Cleveland Clinic. Dental Crowns. Published 14th April 2023. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10923-dental-crowns
PubMed. A review of the positive influence of crown contours on soft-tissue esthetics. Published May 2025. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26053638/
PubMed. Treatment recommendations for single-unit crowns. Published August 2016. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5086281/
Cleveland Clinic. Dental bonding. Published 5th January 2026. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10922-dental-bonding
PubMed. Summary review of the survival of single crowns. Published January 2009. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19146146/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26053638/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5086281/https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10922-dental-bondingPubMed. Composite bonding to stainless steel crowns. Published 2nd April 2013. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3628211/
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