Patient video
Welcoming and Wonderful Practice
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.

Port Dover Family Dentistry
A crown caps a weakened tooth to protect it and restore its shape. Silver Hill patients can learn when crowns are advised and how to care for one.
Let’s get you smiling
Tell us how we can help. Our team will follow up to confirm a time.
Silver Hill patients are cared for at our Port Dover office
Every dental service for Silver HillStrength for a weakened tooth
A crown is a custom cap that covers the visible part of a tooth above the gum. It is often recommended when a tooth has a very large filling, a crack, significant wear or has had root canal treatment. By encasing the tooth, a crown helps distribute biting forces and lowers the risk of the remaining structure breaking.
For people in Silver Hill, crown appointments take place at our Port Dover office. Before recommending one, the dentist examines the tooth, reviews X-rays and explains why a crown is suggested, what other options exist and what the process will involve from preparation to final placement.

Why a crown
Teeth with large or failing fillings, cracked or broken cusps, severe wear from grinding, or those weakened after root canal treatment are typical candidates. Crowns also cover dental implants and anchor bridges. Sometimes a crown is used to improve the shape or colour of a tooth that cannot be helped by more conservative methods.
In some cases, an onlay that covers only part of the tooth, or a well-placed filling, may be sufficient. Ask the dentist why a full crown is preferred for your tooth and what the risks of waiting or choosing a smaller restoration might be. Understanding the reasons helps you weigh your decision.
Materials
All-ceramic and porcelain crowns can be shaded to blend with neighbouring teeth, making them popular for front teeth and visible areas. Some modern ceramics are also strong enough for back teeth. The dentist considers your bite, the space available and how much tooth remains when suggesting a material.
Gold and other metal alloys are very durable and require less tooth reduction, which can suit back teeth under heavy chewing forces. Porcelain fused to metal combines a metal base with a tooth-coloured surface. Each material has advantages and trade-offs, and the dentist will explain how they apply to your situation.
The process
After freezing, the tooth is reshaped to make space for the crown, and any decay is removed. If much of the tooth is missing, a core may be built up first. Impressions or a digital scan are taken and the shade is chosen. A temporary crown protects the tooth while the permanent one is made.
At the second visit, the temporary crown is removed and the final crown is tried on. The dentist checks the fit at the gumline, how it meets your other teeth and its appearance. Adjustments are made as needed, and the crown is then cemented or bonded firmly into place.
Caring for it
Temporary crowns are held with weaker cement, so avoid sticky or hard foods on that side and slide floss out sideways rather than pulling it up. If a temporary comes off, keep it and call the office. Some sensitivity is normal while the tooth is wearing a temporary.
The tooth under a crown can still decay at the edges, so brush twice daily and clean between teeth. Avoid chewing ice or using teeth as tools. If you grind, a night guard can protect the crown. Report any looseness, pain on biting or a chipped surface so it can be assessed.
Planning your appointment
When you contact our Port Dover office, mention whether a crown was recommended elsewhere or which tooth is causing concern. Allow time for two appointments spaced a short while apart.
Eat before your preparation visit, since you may be numb for a few hours afterward. Bring any recent X-rays from other offices.
Before you book
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
Many crowns last for many years with good care, but lifespan varies with the material, your bite, grinding habits and oral hygiene. Regular checkups allow the dentist to monitor the crown and the tooth beneath it.
The tooth is frozen during preparation, so most people feel pressure rather than pain. Mild sensitivity or gum tenderness afterward is common and usually settles. Persistent pain should be reported.
Tooth-coloured crowns are shaded and shaped to blend with your other teeth. The dentist considers colour, translucency and contour so that the crown looks as natural as possible in your smile.
The crown itself cannot decay, but the natural tooth beneath it can, especially at the edge near the gumline. Good home care and regular checkups help prevent and detect this.
Keep the crown, avoid chewing on that side and contact the office. The dentist can check whether it can be recemented. Do not use household glue to reattach it, as that can damage both crown and tooth.
Too big for a filling, too small for a crown? Inlays and onlays restore damaged back teeth. Silver Hill patients can learn when they fit and how they are made.
A filling or crown that falls out leaves the tooth exposed. Silver Hill patients can learn how to protect it, what to bring and how repair is decided.
Recognized year after year
Best Dentists in Norfolk
Proudly recognized among Norfolk’s top-rated dental practices for six consecutive years.

2021 Winner

2022 Winner

2023 Winner

2024 Winner

2025 Winner

2026 Winner
Stories from our patients
Watch a patient’s experience and browse more five-star reviews from people who have visited our Port Dover dental clinic.
Patient video
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.
Google reviews
Swipe or use the arrows
Read all reviewsYour next visit can start today
New patients and CDCP patients are welcome. Tell us how we can help and our Port Dover dental team will follow up with you.
Evening appointments Monday and Tuesday