Dental Crowns & Fillings in Guildford, Surrey

A crown is a cap, made to measure, that covers a tooth which has been damaged or weakened. It gives the tooth back its shape, strength and appearance, and helps protect it from further damage. Crowns are frequently used following root canal treatment, severe decay or a fracture.

Your dentist may recommend a crown if a tooth can still be saved but has too much damage for a filling. Crowns are commonly used for cracks, large cavities, worn-down enamel, or teeth treated with root canal therapy.

Crowns typically last 10 to 15 years or more, provided you keep up good oral hygiene and attend regular check-ups. The material used, the forces from your bite and your daily care all play a part.

Porcelain crowns are ceramic restorations that recreate the natural shade and translucency of tooth enamel. Because they look so natural, they are a common choice for front teeth that show when you smile.

Yes. Same day crowns are offered by many modern practices, using digital scanning and CAD/CAM technology to design and fit the crown in a single visit, with no need for a temporary crown in between.

Generally, no. We use local anaesthetic during the procedure, and while some patients notice slight sensitivity afterwards, this normally settles within a few days.

Traditional crowns may involve two appointments. Same day crowns, made using digital technology, can often be fitted in just one visit.

Crowns are typically made from one of the following:

• Porcelain crowns

• Zirconia crowns

• Porcelain fused to metal crowns

• Ceramic crowns

Many patients now have porcelain or zirconia crowns, which pair strength with a natural-looking finish.

Yes, and this is one of the main reasons crowns are used. The crown stabilises what is left of the tooth, guards it against further damage and helps restore normal function.

Treat your crown just as you would your natural teeth:

• Brush in the morning and at night

• Clean between your teeth with floss regularly

• Attend your routine dental check-ups

• Avoid biting down hard on very hard foods

Good oral hygiene can help your crown last longer.

They can. Today's ceramic crowns are designed to match the shape, colour and translucency of natural teeth, helping them sit naturally alongside your other teeth.

A filling fixes a small area of damage, while a crown encases the entire visible part of the tooth. Crowns are chosen when a tooth needs more structural support than a filling could offer.

Yes. Root canal treated teeth can be weaker than before, so a crown is often used to protect the tooth and give it back the strength it needs for everyday use.

The tooth is shaped slightly to create space for the crown. We then take a digital scan or an impression, and the crown is custom made from this for an accurate fit.

Porcelain and zirconia crowns resist staining well. Even so, a good oral hygiene routine and cutting back on strongly staining foods can help keep them looking their best.

Private crowns are often produced with advanced materials and digital technology, which can bring improvements in aesthetics, fit and durability.

This is uncommon. A crown may occasionally come loose if the tooth beneath it changes or the cement breaks down, and in most cases your dentist can re-cement or replace it.

Neither is better as such, because they have different roles. Veneers are thin cosmetic facings for the front surface of a tooth, whereas crowns enclose the whole tooth and add structural support.

Yes. Crowns can make a real difference to teeth that are damaged, worn or discoloured, helping you achieve a more even, natural smile.

Crown treatment is available at Levitas Dental Guildford, our flagship clinic at 116 London Road, which welcomes patients from Guildford and the wider Surrey area.