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 covers and strengthens a weak or heavily filled tooth. Windham Centre patients can learn when crowns are advised and how it works in Port Dover.
Let’s get you smiling
Tell us how we can help. Our team will follow up to confirm a time.
Care for Windham Centre families at our Port Dover office
See every dental service for Windham CentreCover and protect
A crown is a cap that covers the visible part of a tooth, restoring its shape and strength. Crowns are often recommended for teeth with large fillings, cracks, significant wear or a recent root canal. They can also improve the look of a misshapen or discoloured tooth. Materials range from porcelain and ceramic to metal and combinations of the two, each with its own strengths.
If you live in Windham Centre and have been told you may need a crown, our Port Dover office can explain why it is recommended, discuss alternatives such as an onlay, and walk you through each appointment from preparation to final fitting, so you know what to expect before committing to treatment.

When crowns help
Teeth with large fillings, fractured cusps or cracks may be at risk of breaking further under everyday chewing forces. A crown holds the tooth together and spreads biting pressure more evenly. After root canal treatment, back teeth in particular can become brittle, and a crown is often advised to protect them. The dentist will explain exactly why full coverage is suggested for your tooth.
Crowns can also improve teeth that are badly discoloured, misshapen or heavily worn, and they are used on implants or as part of a bridge. If your main concern is appearance, ask whether a more conservative option such as bonding or a veneer could achieve a similar result while preserving more natural tooth. A good recommendation weighs both the look and the long-term health.
Choosing a material
Porcelain and ceramic crowns can be shaded to blend with neighbouring teeth, making them a popular choice for areas that show when you smile. Modern ceramics are strong enough for many back teeth as well. The dentist will consider your bite, any grinding habit and the amount of space available before recommending a tooth-coloured option, since each of these affects how well it holds up.
Metal crowns are very durable and need less tooth structure removed, which can be useful for back teeth that take heavy forces. Porcelain fused to metal combines a strong base with a tooth-coloured surface. Every option has advantages and limitations, including cost. Ask the dentist to explain the reasoning behind their recommendation and what you would be giving up with each alternative.
The process
After numbing the tooth, the dentist removes decay and reshapes the tooth to make room for the crown. A core build-up may be placed if much structure is missing. Impressions or digital scans are taken and a temporary crown is fitted to protect the tooth. Avoid sticky and hard foods with the temporary, and call the office promptly if it comes loose or cracks.
At the second visit the temporary is removed and the permanent crown is checked for fit, colour and bite before it is cemented. The dentist may make small adjustments so it feels comfortable when you chew. Your bite should feel natural once the numbness wears off. If anything feels high or uncomfortable in the following days, contact the office for a quick check and adjustment.
Caring for crowns
A crowned tooth can still develop decay at the margin where the crown meets the natural tooth. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss every day, paying attention to the gumline around the crown. Regular cleanings and checkups allow the dentist to inspect those margins and catch early problems, often before you would notice any symptoms yourself.
Avoid chewing ice or hard candy, and do not use your teeth as tools for opening packages. If you grind your teeth, a night guard can protect both crowns and natural teeth from excess wear. Crowns can last many years but are not permanent. Report any looseness, chipping, sensitivity or swelling in the gum around a crown so it can be evaluated.
Planning your appointment
Windham Centre patients can call to book a consultation or crown preparation appointment. Mention which tooth is affected, whether it has caused pain and whether another dentist has already recommended a crown for it.
Bring recent X-rays or treatment plans, and ask for a written estimate if you want to review insurance coverage before booking.
Before you book
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
Many crowns last for years with good care. Lifespan depends on the material, your bite, your oral hygiene and habits like grinding. Regular checkups help identify wear or problems at the edges early, when a repair may be simpler.
The tooth is numbed during preparation, so most people feel pressure rather than pain. Some tenderness or sensitivity may follow for a few days as things settle. Contact the office if discomfort persists or seems to be getting worse rather than better.
Sometimes. An onlay covers only part of the tooth and preserves more natural structure. It may suit teeth where damage is limited to certain areas and the remaining walls are strong. The dentist will explain which option is appropriate for your tooth.
The crown itself does not decay, but the tooth underneath can, especially at the edges near the gum. Good brushing, daily flossing and regular dental visits help protect against decay at the crown margins and keep the tooth sound.
Keep it, avoid chewing on that side and call the office. The team can usually recement it. Try not to leave the prepared tooth uncovered for long, as it may shift slightly or become sensitive to temperature.
Too much damage for a filling but not enough for a crown? Windham Centre patients can learn how inlays and onlays restore back teeth at our Port Dover office.
A filling or crown that falls out leaves a tooth exposed. Windham Centre patients can learn how to protect the tooth and arrange a repair in Port Dover.
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