Dental Crown Problems solved here, 2026 onwards...

Crown problems can be avoided or corrected with treatment from a Specialist* in tooth Crowns and Bridges, like our Dr.Kilcoyne, and also for all advanced Cosmetic Dentistry problems that need attention. High-Tech dentistry can have Crown issues including those around neglected Dental Implants, mini Implants, immediate Dental Implants, correct Crown choices, Bridges, Veneers, Precision Dentures, Tooth Bleaching, Teeth Whitening, Cosmetic Bonding, Latest Ceramic Restorations, Second Opinions, Smile Profiling, Gum Diseases, Tooth wear and worn, uneven teeth, Periodontal Plastic Surgery, TMJ's, Difficult Occlusions, Excessive Wear Cases, Root canal treatment, Trauma and Emergencies; Anxious or Nervous Patients welcome too!

CORONA VIRUS & SAFETY UPDATES 2025 onwards : Thank you for your continued patience as there are still occasional outbreaks of Covid, 100 day cough and things like new Flu strains to monitor, as people mix and travelled more and frankly, most don't clean hands as well as they used to.
So please wash your hands preventively and often (a common spread disease contact with people and handles), especially before eating snacks or fast foods, pizza etc.

How do I know when a Crown needs doing?

The commonest reasons are gross decay, large restorations hollowing out the tooth, a heavy bite causing fractures that are getting worse or for Cosmetic reasons when the tooth is already restored or compromised for some reason. Another reason is acute trauma, such as an external blow, or chronic trauma over an extended period of time, such as excessive clenching, grinding etc. which can even fracture crowns occasionally too ( for further details, click on tooth wear/grinding section in this patient info. section). Even Dentists struggle to judge sometimes when is the best time to Crown a tooth. Ideally, it is the day before anything goes wrong, but no-one can judge that accurately.

Unfortunately pain, tooth-fracture etc. are often very late signs of problems that happen suddenly, making saving the tooth more complex or risky (such as involving root-canal treatment and posts, as well as a Crown, which is now hanging onto much less tooth) or even impossible, resulting in tooth loss. However, neither does one want to Crown a tooth too early. Getting this balanced judgement right has to be done on an individual basis. This will often be a joint decision between patient and Dentist, ideally after some monitoring has occurred yet before a major problem has suddenly happened, thus preventing complications and tooth-loss. Sometimes patients choose to wait and "risk it", accepting that they may face complications and higher costs, or even tooth loss later. Others may choose to Crown their teeth earlier, to preserve as much good tooth as possible long-term.

One cannot generalise here and sometimes teeth will be lost that might have been saved. That is why you need individual advice and monitoring from your Dentist or Specialist.

Just see in the picture below the vast choices in Crowns and other options - a Specialist can help you decide which options are best for you AND deliver them!

How do I know when my existing Crown is failing or needs renewing?

A Crown can fail for a number of reasons. Firstly, it may have been placed too late. If one waits until a tooth has been totally fractured away, or a vertical fracture has gone into the underlying root, the foundations have been (often unknowingly) previously compromised beyond repair. If this happens, the whole tooth could well be lost, as there is no effective long-term treatment for a vertical fracture.

While it's true that a crown protects and strengthens a tooth, sometimes a crowned tooth will get a cavity beyond the crown. Decay never comes through the crown, but they can get started at the edge where the crown and tooth meet (eg: at the root surface), because it's the tooth root that can still decay. Unfortunately, this is one of the toughest spots to keep free of plaque, so it is important to brush and floss well, maintain regular check-ups etc.

In the early stages, any decayed cavities are easy to catch and fix with a sealing/filling, unless they're where they can't easily be reached.
However, once established for a long time, cavities can grow quickly because they have already got past the first line of defence. At this point, the crown must be replaced. By replacing the crown now, before the cavity has reached the pulp chamber (nerve) of the tooth, you can avoid a root canal treatment or other complications. However should a root Canal treatment be required, this may still be able to do through the biting surface or behind the tooth, so the Crown still looks OK, but it may need replacing completely or even a post too if the nerve died due to new decay or infection.

Good hygiene and reduced sugar attacks from your diet have an important role in preventing decay. This gets forgotten as the years pass sometimes, but is important like regular dental visits. Crowns done in time may be stronger and more resilient, but the tooth they are bonded to still needs regular self-care and Professional monitoring.

Other reasons for replacing Crowns include to improve their shade, shape, size etc. (cosmetic) or to improve the bite. Where a number of Crowns and Veneers are involved, then to get a better match and curved smile Profile, a complete Smile Makeover may be the best improvement to the whole smile.

Dr.Kilcoyne is a fully registered UK Specialist in Prosthodontics ,which includes Teeth Implants, Crowns, Veneers, Dentures, Bonding etc, to Restore or Replace teeth functionally and cosmetically so you can have a Smile that you can be proud of, without compromise. Yes all this expertise, experience and excellent track-record have a price, but we still believe it is Good Value for the level of Specialist Quality one is getting and can be confident in.

Dr.Kilcoyne has won National Prizes for the Quality of Patient Services, so you don't have to compromise ! Please do ask your regular Dentist for a Specialist referral to us, or if this is impractical for some reason, you may refer yourself directly.

Dr.Kilcoyne has won National Prizes for the Quality of Patient Services, so you don't have to compromise ! Please do ask your regular Dentist for a Specialist referral to us, or if this is impractical for some reason, you may refer yourself directly.

*Dr.Kilcoyne is a fully GDC Registered, Trained Dentist and Specialist* in the Functional & Cosmetic aspects of Tooth Implants, Crowns, Bridges, Precision Dentures, mini-implants, Ceramics, Veneers, Occlusion, Bonding and Restoring Smiles.

The Importance of good Aftercare and Maintenance!

As well as regular check-ups to your Dentist to prevent problems (or at least catch them very early-on), please follow your aftercare advice, reduce sugar attacks and don't neglect your Toothbrushing and Flossing Techniques that reduce the Dental Plaque that damages your teeth, gums and dentistry work. Regular cleaning helps reduce staining and keep teeth looking nicer and whiter too!

Want to know more about brushing and Flossing techniques that prevents bad breath and keeps your Mouth and Dentistry Healthier too? Then please click these for Tooth Brushing Information or Dental flossing techniques or Preventing Gum Diseases links.

*Dr.Kilcoyne is a UK registered Specialist in Prosthodontics (GDC No.58373) which includes The Functional and Cosmetic Dentistry aspects of Crowns, Dental Implants, Bridges, Veneers, Fillings, Dentures, Bonding etc. 
Please go to our MAKE an APPOINTMENT page if you'd like to access his Expertise, for YOUR benefit, or simply call us on 01535644005 and leave your details?

Best wishes from the whole SmileSpecialist Team

Click Here if you are Worried about the Possible Dental Dangers Abroad, to find out more....

We offer the latest and best advanced private dental treatment options at THE Smile Specialist Centre, Haworth, Keighley, Bradford, Yorkshire UK, do click here.

Wishing you good Dental Health AND a Smile to be proud of, from all at the SmileSpecialist® Team.