If over half of your molar tooth's biting surface is decayed, an inlay or onlay may be a better option than a filling. These options are basically for when more than a filling is needed but less than a crown will do. An inlay is placed in between the cusps of the tooth, whereas an onlay will cover one or more of the cusps. They can be made of a gold or silver alloy or Porcelain and is cemented into place.

Fitting a crown usually requires two visits. The first visit will involve your dentist taking a mould so that a laboratory can build a perfectly fitted crown. During this visit, your dentist will also prepare your tooth. Your dentist will first of all clean away any debris and decay from the tooth, then shape it so that the crown will fit neatly over the tooth.

On the second visit, usually 2-3 weeks later, your new crown will be ready to be fitted. Your dentist will fit the crown and then cement it into place, providing that the colour and fit match the original specification and your existing teeth.

The variety of materials now available to make crowns means that the costs can vary considerably. However, it also means that there are affordable solutions available and accessible to most people. The types of materials that your dentist could choose depend on the circumstances and the patient. Not everybody wants a metallic or gold crown right in their front set of teeth. However, metallic crowns do have advantages in terms of durability and minimising the impact on other teeth. So if the crown is required at the back of your mouth, it may be an option?

Another option is porcelain or ceramic crowns. Many people favour these because they are a good colour match for your existing teeth and therefore look very natural. Crowns can also be made from resin. While this is a relatively inexpensive material, it does not last as long as some of the others and wears down relatively easier. So the initial savings are not always as attractive as they first seem.

Your dentist will be able to give you full advice on how to ensure that your crown lasts a long time. However, there are is no specific care programme for crowns.

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