Restorative Dentistry
Dental Crowns in Wellington
When a tooth is severely damaged by decay, a large fracture, or has undergone a root canal, a standard dental filling is often not enough to restore its strength. In these cases, a dental crown is the ideal restorative solution.
A dental crown serves as a protective "cap" that completely encases the visible portion of the damaged tooth. It restores the tooth's original shape, size, strength, and appearance, allowing you to chew and speak normally while protecting the fragile tooth structure underneath.
Why might I need a dental crown?
Our Wellington dentists may recommend a dental crown for several reasons:
- To protect a weak tooth: To hold together parts of a cracked tooth or protect a tooth from breaking after severe decay.
- To restore a broken tooth: To rebuild a tooth that has been severely worn down or fractured.
- After a root canal: Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment become brittle and require a crown to prevent them from shattering.
- To cover a large filling: When there is very little natural tooth structure left, a crown provides necessary support.
- Cosmetic enhancement: To cover severely discoloured, misshapen, or poorly aligned teeth as part of a smile makeover.
- To complete an implant: A crown is the final visible restoration placed on top of a dental implant.
Fast Turnaround and Same-Day Dental Crowns
At Newtown Dental, we understand that your time is valuable, and living with a damaged or temporary tooth is inconvenient. That’s why we offer fast turnaround times for dental crowns, often completing them on the same day.
Unlike many dental practices that must send all their crown work to external laboratories—requiring you to wear a fragile temporary crown for weeks—we have invested in advanced in-house technology. This capability allows us to design, mill, and place many of our crowns onsite during a single visit.
Choosing Newtown Dental for your dental crowns means opting for both speed and uncompromising quality.
What materials are used for dental crowns?
We use high-quality, durable materials to ensure your crown is both long-lasting and natural-looking. The specific material recommended will depend on the location of the tooth and your aesthetic preferences:
- All-Ceramic / Porcelain: These provide the best natural colour match to your surrounding teeth and are an excellent choice for front teeth. They are metal-free and highly biocompatible.
- Zirconia: Known for its exceptional strength and durability, zirconia is ideal for back molars that endure heavy chewing forces, while still offering a tooth-coloured appearance.
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM): Offers a strong metal core with a porcelain exterior. These are very durable but can sometimes show a dark line at the gum over time.
How long do dental crowns last?
A high-quality dental crown is a long-term investment in your oral health. On average, dental crowns last between 10 and 15 years. However, with excellent oral hygiene practices and regular dental check-ups, it is not uncommon for crowns to last a lifetime.
To maximise the lifespan of your crown, treat it like a natural tooth: brush twice daily, floss regularly, avoid chewing on hard objects like ice or hard candies, and wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
Next Step
Restore Your Smile Today
If you have a damaged, weakened, or painful tooth, a fast-turnaround dental crown from Newtown Dental is the perfect solution to restore its function and appearance.
Call us at 04 389 3808 or book online to schedule your restorative consultation.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Does getting a dental crown hurt?
No. The procedure for preparing a tooth for a crown is very similar to getting a standard filling. We use local anaesthesia to completely numb the area, ensuring you are comfortable and pain-free throughout the process.
How much does a dental crown cost?
The cost of a dental crown depends on the material used (e.g., all-ceramic vs. zirconia) and the complexity of the preparation required. We will provide a transparent quote during your consultation. We also offer payment plans to help spread the cost.
What is the difference between a crown and a veneer?
A crown encases the entire visible portion of the tooth and is used primarily for strength and restoration. A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that covers only the front surface of the tooth and is used purely for cosmetic enhancements.