What are crowns?
Crowns can be used to restore teeth that are heavily filled, discoloured, broken or crooked. Most are porcelain, which gives a natural appearance and, importantly, protects what is left of the tooth underneath.
Conventional crown treatment takes two appointments. At the first the tooth is prepared and a temporary crown is fitted while the permanent one is made. At the second, the permanent crown is fitted. If you would rather not wait, we also offer same-day CEREC restorations, designed and milled here in the practice.
What are veneers and smile makeovers?
A smile makeover means redesigning an existing smile — improving how it looks and, often, how it works. It might address crowded teeth, gaps, discolouration, the shape of individual teeth, or missing teeth.
A smile makeover can involve a wide range of treatments and any number of teeth. For some people it is teeth whitening with our Enlighten system and nothing more. For others it is replacing old crowns that no longer match, straightening with Invisalign first, or a small number of porcelain veneers.
How we plan a smile makeover
We start with what you actually dislike about your smile, not with a treatment. From there we will set out the realistic options — including the least invasive one — with costs, timescales and what each involves. Our smile gallery shows what a small amount of well-chosen treatment can do.
Frequently asked questions
How much are crowns and veneers?
Crowns, veneers, gold crowns and Emax onlays and inlays are each £650 (gold crowns are £650 plus laboratory metal costs). Composite bonding starts from £180.
How long do veneers and crowns last?
With good cleaning and regular check-ups they last many years. Grinding your teeth, gum disease and decay at the margins are the usual reasons they fail early.
Should I whiten my teeth before having a crown?
Yes — always whiten first. Porcelain does not lighten, so we match the new crown or veneer to your final, whitened shade.