Posted on: 21 October, 2025
A dental crown can restore, reshape and protect a tooth
5 minute read
If you’re having dental treatment that involves restoring, reshaping or sealing a tooth, there’s a good chance it will involve a dental crown. Crowns are custom-made restorations that cover all of a tooth above the gumline, and they are used in many situations. But whatever you’re having a crown for, the procedure will be much the same.
Read this complete guide to dental crowns to learn more about what crowns are and why they’re needed, the different types of crowns, their pros and cons, the crown procedure, and how much crowns cost. If you think you might need a crown, book a consultation with our Perth dentists today.
In the anatomy of a tooth, the crown is the part of the tooth you can see above the gum and the hidden roots. A dental crown is a cap made of ceramic or other strong materials that’s designed to fit over a tooth and restore its strength, function and appearance.
A crown will cover a the entire tooth above the gum, much like a helmut covers a head. Crowns are custom made by dental technicians and can be matched to the colour of the surrounding teeth for a seamless appearance.
Your dentist might suggest a crown for many reasons, either as a single procedure or as part of a larger treatment such as a smile makeover. These reasons can include:
If you have a cracked tooth or a tooth cavity, your dentist may recommend a crown if the damage is too large for other restorations such as filling, inlay or onlay. Crowns may also be used for cosmetic improvements if more of a tooth needs to be altered than can be done using veneers or bonding.
In one study, dentists were most likely to recommend crowns for fractured or cracked teeth, root canal treatments, and to replace another damaged restoration.*
* McCracken MS, Louis DR, Litaker MS, Minyé HM, Mungia R, Gordan VV, Marshall DG, Gilbert GH; National Dental Practice-Based Research Network Collaborative Group. Treatment recommendations for single-unit crowns: Findings from The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. J Am Dent Assoc. 2016 Nov;147(11):882-890. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2016.06.012. Epub 2016 Aug 1. PMID: 27492046; PMCID: PMC5086281.
You can choose the material for your crown based on your preferences and price range. Common crown materials dentists offer include:
Depending on the material you choose, your crown could last anywhere between 5–15 years on average, though stronger materials can last for decades with good care.
Porcelain crowns are less durable than metal crowns, but they look much more natural. This is because porcelain can be matched to any natural tooth shade and the material reflects light in a similar way to tooth enamel.
Porcelain or ceramic crowns are a popular choice for teeth towards the front of the mouth. For the back teeth that are put under greater pressure, a porcelain layer may be added around a stronger core, such as a porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crown or porcelain-layered zirconia crown.
A durable option, zirconia crowns combine the aesthetics of porcelain and the strength of metal crowns. Zirconia is around five times stronger than porcelain while still resembling natural tooth enamel, making it a good option for crowns, especially molars. The material is also less abrasive on the opposite teeth, causing less wear than metal crowns.
The original dental crowns were made of gold and other metals, and many dentists still offer metal crowns today, though their metallic appearance makes them less popular than natural-looking porcelain. These crowns can be best suited to molars at the back of the mouth, where they won’t be so visible, though they can increase wear on the opposing teeth.
The cheapest crown materials, acrylic (plastic) and resin crowns are usually designed to be temporary fittings that are replaced by a stronger material after the permanent crown has been manufactured. These crowns are more prone to damage and staining, so you should avoid hard foods and habits such as teeth grinding.
Crowns can be a good choice for restoring or modifying a tooth, but they’re not the only option. Your dentist will make sure you know the advantages and disadvantages of every treatment option so you can decide which is right for you.
Your dentist will determine whether you’re a candidate for a crown by checking your medical history and examining your mouth, including taking an x-ray of your tooth. They will then let you know whether they think you could benefit from a crown or an alternative treatment, but the decision is yours.
If a tooth has a vertical crack that extends below the gum line or into the root, it may not be possible to save it with a crown, and extraction could be necessary instead. To discuss your suitability for a crown, call our dentists in East Vic Park on Call now
Getting a crown usually involves two visits to the dental clinic. Your dentist will explain what’s involved at each step of the process when they make your treatment plan.
If you decide that a crown is right for you, your dentist will first apply a local anaesthesia, then remove a thin layer of enamel from the tooth’s surface to make sure your crown doesn’t stick out. They will then take digital scans of the tooth and the surrounding teeth. A dental technician will use these scans to create your custom crown or crowns in the shade of your choice.
Manufacturing a crown can take about 2 weeks. In the meantime, your dentist will place a temporary acrylic or resin crown over your tooth to protect it.
After about 2 weeks, your dentist will call you in to remove your temporary crown and fit your final crown. They’ll cement it into place, then check its appearance and your bite, making any final adjustments needed. They’ll make sure you can floss between teeth successfully to avoid any bacteria build-up.
Your tooth may feel sensitive to temperature after some enamel is removed, but this should stop within a week or two. Getting a crown isn’t normally painful, but you can take over-the-counter pain relief if you feel any discomfort after your treatment.
You may feel that your bite (how your teeth come together) has changed, as your natural tooth shape is likely different to that of the crown, it may take some time to adjust but over a few weeks it should feel normal.
Eating with a crown should feel the same as a natural tooth. You can help your crown to last as long as possible by avoiding very hard foods, taking good care of your teeth and gums every day and visiting the dentist every 6–12 months for a check-up and clean.
At EVP Dental, crowns start from $1,802 per tooth. The cost depends on the type of crown and the size of the restoration. There will be additional costs for your consultation and assessment with a dentist, x-rays and any anaesthetic or sedation needed. Your crown may need to be repaired or replaced after a number of years, which will be ongoing costs.
If you need some support with your treatment cost, we work with finance providers to offer a choice of payment plans to help you break down your bill into manageable instalments.
*From price is $1802 (#613) Final costs vary depending on individual treatment needs and applicable private health insurance rebates. An itemised treatment plan with estimated costs will be provided after a clinical examination and assessment of suitability. Not all patients are suitable candidates for dental crowns, and results vary between individuals.
A crown isn’t always the best choice. Depending on the treatment you need, your dentist might also discuss:
If you want to discuss crowns or other treatments to restore your smile, book a consultation with our dentists at EVP Dental today. Call us on (08) 9470 3944 or book online and we’ll give you all the information you need to decide what’s best for you.
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