Restore and Protect Damaged or Decayed Teeth
Dental crowns—often called caps—are a strong and reliable solution for restoring teeth that are weakened, worn down, misshapen, or have undergone root canal treatment. Designed to fully cover the tooth, crowns help reinforce its structure while blending in naturally with the rest of your smile. This long-lasting treatment not only protects the tooth from further damage but also restores its appearance and function, helping you smile with confidence.
How Do Dental Crowns Work?
A dental crown is a custom-designed cap that fits snugly over a damaged, decayed, or cosmetically altered tooth. It is securely bonded to the tooth’s surface, restoring its strength, shape, and appearance. Crowns provide essential protection against further damage, help alleviate discomfort, and allow you to chew and speak comfortably. Each crown is crafted to match the natural colour and contour of your existing teeth, ensuring a seamless and comfortable fit.
The Types of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are available in a variety of materials, each offering unique advantages depending on your needs, aesthetic goals, and the tooth’s location. At Guelph Family Dentistry, we’ll help you choose the best option based on durability, appearance, and your personal preferences.
All-Resin Dental Crowns
All-resin crowns are a more affordable option and can provide a natural appearance. However, they tend to wear down more quickly and may not last as long as other types. While cost-effective, they may require more frequent replacement.
Metal Dental Crowns
Crafted from gold, palladium, nickel, or chromium alloys, metal crowns are known for their superior strength and longevity. They’re ideal for molars or back teeth where appearance is less of a concern. Although highly durable and resistant to wear, their metallic colour makes them less suitable for visible areas of the mouth.
All-Ceramic & All-Porcelain Dental Crowns
These crowns are a great choice for front teeth thanks to their lifelike appearance. Made without metal, they’re a perfect option for patients with metal allergies. While not as strong as metal crowns, they offer excellent aesthetics and are commonly used in visible areas of the smile.
Pressed Ceramic Dental Crowns
Pressed ceramic crowns feature a strong inner core topped with a layer of porcelain for a natural finish. They offer a balance of durability and visual appeal, making them a popular choice for both front and back teeth where strength and appearance matter.
The Dental Crown Process
Getting a dental crown typically involves two visits to the dentist and is a straightforward procedure.
Here’s how the process works at our Guelph office:
Examination and Preparation
Your crown process begins with a thorough evaluation of your tooth. If any decay or damage is present, our dentist will gently remove it and prepare the tooth for the crown. This step ensures a stable foundation and helps prevent future complications.
Creating Your Custom Crown
Once the tooth is prepared, we’ll take precise impressions and send them to a trusted dental lab where your custom crown will be crafted to match the shape, size, and shade of your natural teeth. In the meantime, a temporary crown will be placed to protect your tooth and maintain its function.
Placing the Final Crown
At your second visit, we’ll remove the temporary crown and fit your new, permanent crown. Using strong dental cement—or a discreet screw if required—we’ll secure it in place. Finally, we’ll make any needed adjustments and polish the crown for a smooth, comfortable, and natural-looking finish.
The Cost of Dental Crowns in Guelph
The cost of a dental crown can vary based on your individual needs and the type of coverage you have. For patients with dental insurance, the average out-of-pocket cost for a single crown is typically between $200 and $600+. If you don’t have insurance, crowns usually range from $800 to $1,200 or more, depending on the material and complexity of the case.
What affects the cost of a dental crown?
- The type of crown (porcelain, ceramic, metal, etc.)
- The location of the tooth and how complex the procedure is
- How many crowns are required to restore your smile
- Whether the crown is part of a larger treatment plan, such as a dental bridge
- The materials, technology, and time needed for your personalized care
Every smile is different, and so is every crown. That’s why we don’t offer quotes over the phone. To receive an accurate estimate tailored to your needs, we recommend scheduling a consultation at our Guelph clinic. After a detailed oral exam, we can outline your options and provide a clear, itemized quote.
If you have insurance, we’re happy to supply the paperwork you need to submit a pre-approval and find out your exact out-of-pocket cost before proceeding with treatment.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
In many cases, yes—especially for molars and premolars. These back teeth take on most of the pressure from chewing and typically require crowns to restore strength and prevent future damage. Front teeth, such as incisors and canines, may not always need a crown if they aren’t under significant biting force.
Crowns and fillings each have their place, but when it comes to durability—especially for back teeth—crowns are the stronger option. Fillings can chip or loosen over time, particularly under heavy pressure from chewing or grinding. Crowns offer full coverage and a solid surface, making them ideal for teeth that need long-term reinforcement.
Not at all. Crowns are custom-made to match the colour, shape, and contour of your natural teeth. Once placed, most patients can’t even tell which tooth has the crown. They’re designed to look and feel just like the rest of your smile.
A dental post is a small, medical-grade rod placed inside a tooth that has had a root canal. It’s not the same as a dental implant. Instead, it provides added support when there isn’t enough healthy tooth structure left to securely hold a crown in place.
The crown procedure is generally no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. We thoroughly numb the area to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the process. Some patients may experience mild gum sensitivity afterward, but it usually resolves quickly. If you’re nervous about treatment, just let us know—we’re here to make your visit as easy and stress-free as possible.
With good care, crowns can last 10 to 15 years—and often much longer. In some cases, well-maintained crowns can remain functional for 25 to 30 years. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups are the key to long-lasting results.
Treat your crown like a natural tooth:
- Brush at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss daily, especially around the crown’s edges
- Use mouthwash to support gum health
- Schedule regular dental cleanings and exams every 6 months
Keeping up with these habits will help protect your crown—and the tooth beneath it—for years to come.
What Our Patients Have to Say
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My entire family comes here now
Everybody is so positive
I have a great smile thanks to Guelph Dentistry
