- the tooth may have been weakened by having a very large filling, or is already showing signs of cracking
- you may have discoloured fillings and would like to improve the appearance of the tooth
- you may have had a root filling which will need a crown to protect it
- you may have had an accident and damaged the tooth
- it may help hold a bridge or denture firmly in place.
Porcelain bonded to metal: this is what most traditional crowns are made from.
Traditional porcelain: these crowns are not as strong as bonded crowns but they can look very natural and are most often used for front teeth.
Lithium disilicate glass-ceramic and fluorapatite glass-ceramic. (E.max) These are strong, aesthetic and can be bonded to the tooth,
Zirconia based or all-zirconia crowns. These are extremely tough and the material can also be used for bridges.
Precious metal (gold and palladium): these crowns are very strong and hard-wearing, but are usually used at the back of the mouth, where they are not visible.