Dental Crowns: Same Day Crowns

Crowns are tooth-shaped caps which fit over the top of your teeth, to strengthen and protect them.

We make our crowns in-house, and can fit them on the same day.

Why are dental crowns used?

Teeth with large fillings (and/or root fillings) are weak and can break when you bite. They can have hidden cracks which make them tender to bite on or sensitive to hot or cold. Heaving clenching or grinding can also weaken teeth even if there are no fillings present. A dental crown will protect a tooth that has been heavily filled or is under pressure from clenching or grinding. Crowns can also be used cosmetically to improve the appearance of your teeth. Your Hamilton dentist can tell you which of your teeth would best be protected by crowns before other dental problems develop.

Types of dental crowns: What are dental crowns made of?

Usually, dental crowns are made of porcelain because the colour can be matched to your existing teeth. The porcelain ‘tooth’ may have a gold or other metal core for strength. If a natural appearance is not essential (for example, at the back of your mouth), a gold or other metal crown may be used. Porcelain crowns are the most commonly fitted crowns here at Hamilton Dental Centre.

Ceramic crowns are another option and like porcelain crowns, they can be matched to your existing teeth' colour, making them a popular choice. All-ceramic crowns are typically not as strong as porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, however, they offer good protection for a damaged tooth or damaged teeth.

Ceramic and porcelain crowns can be fitted to front teeth and back teeth, however, you will typically find them used on front teeth for aesthetic purposes.

A cost-effective option is an all-resin crown, however, these are not commonly used anymore as they are more prone to wearing down and more susceptible to getting chipped off or breaking.

The type of crown you decide on will be determined by the required strength and durability, as well as the cost. A crown can last between 5 and 15 years depending on the material used so it is important to consider your long-term dental health when deciding which type of dental crown to choose.

A diagram showing how dental crowns are fitted

How are dental crowns fitted?

Hamilton Dental reduces the size of the existing filling and tooth to make room for the new crown, removing any cracks or decay to ensure the tooth's integrity. We can then scan the prepared tooth directly and create the crown or dental bridge on the same day using our CEREC technology.

If a case is very technical we may take a mould to send to a dental technician to give our dentist more time to create your casework. Your Hamilton dentist will fit a temporary crown to cover your tooth until the permanent crown or bridgework is ready. Once the permanent crown is ready, we check the fit and appearance before cementing it in place.

How long does it take to get a tooth crown?

The typical process for creating a moulding a crown for your teeth would be 2-3 weeks, however, thanks to the adoption of CAD/CAM technology, we are able to offer same-day dental crowns at Hamilton Dental Centre.

The traditional process of fitting a crown would involve physical impressions of a tooth being taken. These would then get sent to a lab for production all of which could take anywhere from 2-3 weeks.

Today, however, with the use of CAD/CAM technology, that process has now been digitised with 3D scans and virtual designs used in conjunction with state-of-the-art milling machines that can create tooth crowns from a single piece of ceramic, quick enough to have your new crowns ready and fitted in a day.

Benefits of dental crowns

  1. Improved Appearance
    One of the primary benefits of dental crowns is that they can improve the appearance of a person’s smile. Crowns are made from porcelain or other materials that closely match the colour and shape of natural teeth, so they can help restore a person’s smile to its original beauty. Additionally, crowns can be used to cover up discoloured or misshapen teeth, giving them a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
  2. Strengthen Teeth
    Dental crowns can also be used to strengthen teeth that have been weakened due to decay or injury. Crowns act as an artificial cap over the tooth, helping to protect it from further damage and restoring its structural integrity. This can help to prevent the need for more invasive treatments such as root canals or extractions in the future.
  3. Restore Functionality
    In addition to improving a person’s appearance, dental crowns can also restore functionality to damaged teeth. Crowns are designed to fit snugly over the affected tooth, helping it function normally when eating and speaking. This can help reduce pain and discomfort caused by damaged teeth while also improving overall oral health.
  4. Long-Lasting Results
    Another benefit of dental crowns is that they provide long-lasting results. With proper care, most crowns will last between 10-15 years before needing to be replaced. This makes them a great option for people who want a permanent solution for their dental issues without having to undergo frequent treatments or replacements in the future.
  5. Affordable Treatment Option
    Finally, dental crowns are typically an affordable treatment option compared to other types of dental procedures such as implants or veneers. Crown prices vary depending on factors such as material type and location, but they generally cost several hundred dollars per tooth—a fraction of what other treatments may cost

Cost of dental crowns

If you're considering getting dental crowns in New Zealand, then you've come to the right place!

We're here to help you understand the cost of dental crowns and what you can expect to pay.

The cost of dental crowns can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type of material used for the crown, the dentist performing the procedure and the location of the dental clinic.

On average, the cost of dental crowns in New Zealand ranges from $800 to $2,500 per tooth.

It's important to note that this is just an estimate and the cost can vary more depending on your individual situation.

At Hamilton Dental Centre, we will provide you with all the relevant information you need to make an informed decision about dental crowns, providing options to suit all budgets as well as offering payment options to spread the cost of the procedure.

Want to find out more?

Request an appointment or drop us a line today.