Dental Crowns in Nairobi
A healthy, confident smile is one of our most powerful assets. However, when teeth are damaged, decayed, or weakened, that confidence can quickly fade. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers a reliable and aesthetically pleasing solution: dental crowns. Often referred to as “caps,” crowns are custom-made restorations that cover and protect compromised teeth, restoring their shape, strength, and appearance. Whether you’re dealing with a cracked tooth, a large cavity, or the aftermath of a root canal, dental crowns play a crucial role in bringing function and beauty back to your smile. The best news is that Deans Dental Implants Clinic has brought this service near you.
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that are placed over a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its size, shape, strength, and appearance. They fully encase the visible portion of the tooth above the gum line, providing both protection and cosmetic enhancement. Crowns are commonly used when a tooth is too damaged for a filling but not so compromised that it needs to be extracted. In addition to restoring function, crowns also help improve the overall look of a tooth, making them a popular choice for both restorative and cosmetic dentistry.
Types of Dental Crowns
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These crowns are highly popular for front teeth due to their natural appearance. They closely mimic the translucency and colour of natural enamel, making them ideal for patients who prioritize aesthetics. Porcelain crowns are also biocompatible, which means they are less likely to cause allergic reactions or gum irritation. However, they may not be as strong as metal-based crowns, especially under heavy bite pressure.
Benefits
- Natural appearance – Closely resembles real teeth in colour and translucency, making it ideal for front teeth.
- Metal-free – A good option for patients with metal allergies or sensitivities.
- Biocompatible – Less likely to cause gum irritation or allergic reactions.
- Customizable – Can be precisely matched to the colour of surrounding teeth.
These crowns combine the natural look of porcelain with the strength of a metal structure underneath. They offer a good balance of durability and aesthetics, making them suitable for both front and back teeth. However, over time, the metal underneath may show through as a dark line near the gum, and they may not match the translucency of all-porcelain crowns.
Benefits
- Strong and durable – Metal foundation provides strength, especially for back teeth exposed to more pressure.
- Aesthetic with strength – Combines the cosmetic appeal of porcelain with the structural support of metal.
- Versatile – Suitable for both front and back teeth.
- Cost-effective – Often more affordable than all-ceramic or zirconia crowns while still offering decent aesthetics.
Made from gold, palladium, nickel, or chromium alloys, metal crowns are extremely durable and resistant to wear. They require minimal tooth removal and are less likely to chip or break. While their metallic colour makes them more suitable for molars or out-of-sight teeth, their longevity makes them a strong option for patients who prioritize function over form.
Benefits
- Exceptional durability – Highly resistant to wear, chipping, and cracking—ideal for molars.
- Minimal tooth preparation –: Requires less removal of natural tooth structure.
- Long-lasting – Can often last decades with proper care.
- Smooth margins – Less likely to cause wear on opposing teeth.
Zirconia is a strong, tooth-coloured material that offers both durability and aesthetics. These crowns are highly resistant to wear and fracture, making them a great choice for patients who grind their teeth or need crowns on molars. Some newer options, like layered zirconia, offer better aesthetics for front teeth as well.
Benefits
- High strength – Suitable for patients who grind their teeth (bruxism) or need crowns on back teeth.
- Aesthetic options – Can be layered for a more natural look, especially for visible areas.
- Biocompatible – Generally well-tolerated by gum tissues.
- Minimal wear to opposing teeth – Newer formulations are designed to be kinder to natural enamel.
Made from tooth-coloured resin, these crowns are typically less expensive but also less durable than other types. They are more prone to wear, staining, and chipping, so they are generally used as a temporary solution or in situations where cost is a primary concern.
Benefits
- Cost-effective – Generally the most affordable type of crown.
- Quick and easy to place – Often used for temporary or transitional restorations.
- Aesthetic flexibility – Can be shaded to match existing teeth.
- Less invasive – Requires less tooth structure to be removed compared to some other materials.
These are usually made from acrylic or stainless steel and are designed for short-term use while a permanent crown is being fabricated. Temporary crowns protect the tooth and maintain appearance and function in the interim.
Benefits
- Protective – Shields the prepared tooth while waiting for a permanent crown.
- Maintains function and appearance – Helps patients eat and speak normally during the interim period.
- Easily removable – Designed for short-term use and easy replacement.
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The Step-by-step Guide to the Crown fitting Process
At Deans Dental Implants, we are committed to guiding you through each step of the dental crowns fitting process, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience as we restore your smile, through our amazing and high quality dentistry.
1. Initial evaluation and diagnosis
The journey toward receiving a crown begins with a thorough dental evaluation. Your dentist will examine the tooth in question to determine whether a crown is the most suitable treatment. This typically includes taking dental X-rays to assess the condition of the tooth’s roots and the surrounding bone. If the tooth has extensive decay, a large filling, or has undergone root canal treatment, a crown may be necessary to restore strength and structure. The dentist may also discuss alternative options and address any concerns you have regarding materials or aesthetics.
2. Tooth preparation
Once the decision is made to proceed with a crown, the next step is to prepare the tooth. This involves reshaping the tooth by removing a layer of enamel from all sides to make room for the crown. The amount of reduction depends on the type of crown being placed—for example, metal crowns require less removal than porcelain ones. If the tooth has lost significant structure due to decay or damage, your dentist may first build it up using a filling material to ensure it can support the crown properly. This reshaping is done under local anesthesia to ensure the process is comfortable and pain-free.
3. Taking impressions
After the tooth is prepared, impressions are taken to capture the exact shape and alignment of your teeth. These impressions can be done using traditional dental putty or more advanced digital scanning technology. The goal is to ensure the permanent crown will fit perfectly with your bite and adjacent teeth. At this stage, if you’re getting a tooth-colored crown (like porcelain or ceramic), your dentist will also select a shade that closely matches your surrounding teeth for a seamless, natural appearance.
4. Temporary Crown Placement
Because it takes time to fabricate the permanent crown, a temporary crown is placed to protect your prepared tooth. This temporary restoration is usually made from acrylic or composite material and is secured with a temporary adhesive. While it’s not as strong or aesthetically refined as the final crown, it serves to preserve the tooth’s function and appearance. You’ll be advised to avoid sticky or hard foods during this period, and to be gentle when brushing and flossing around the temporary crown.
5. Fabrication of the Permanent Crown
The impressions or scans are sent to a dental laboratory, where skilled technicians craft your custom crown. Depending on the material chosen—such as porcelain, zirconia, or metal—the lab will fabricate a crown that fits precisely and blends naturally with your existing teeth. This process typically takes 1 to 2 weeks. In offices equipped with CAD/CAM technology (like CEREC), the crown can be designed and milled on the same day, allowing for a one-visit procedure.
6. Fitting the Permanent Crown
Once your permanent crown is ready, you’ll return to the dentist for the final placement. The temporary crown is removed, and the permanent crown is checked for fit, bite alignment, and color match. Any necessary adjustments are made to ensure the crown feels comfortable and functions well when you bite and chew. After confirming everything is correct, the crown is permanently cemented in place using a strong dental adhesive. This step secures the crown for long-term use and completes the restorative process.
7. Post-procedure care and follow-up
After placement, it’s common to experience some minor sensitivity or soreness, especially around the gum line. This typically resolves within a few days. Your dentist will provide instructions on how to care for your new crown, including proper brushing and flossing techniques. While crowns are durable, they still require good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups to ensure they remain in excellent condition. Avoiding habits like teeth grinding, nail-biting, or chewing hard objects can also prolong the life of your crown.
Dental crowns are ideal for:
- People with severely decayed teeth
- Teeth with large or failing fillings
- Individuals with cracked or fractured teeth
- Patients who have had root canal treatment
- People with worn-down teeth due to grinding
- Those with broken or chipped teeth
- Individuals seeking cosmetic improvement
- Patients needing support for a dental bridge
- People restoring a dental implant
- Individuals wanting a long-term restoration
- People with weak or underdeveloped enamel
They are not ideal for:
- Individuals with poor oral hygiene
- People with active gum disease
- people with whose teeth have insufficient structure to support a crown
- Severely decayed teeth beyond restoration
- Patients with untreated tooth infections
- People with strong metal allergies (depending on crown type)
- Children with primary (baby) teeth in most cases
- Patients with severe bruxism without protection (e.g., no night guard)
Dental crowns typically last between 5 to 15 years, depending on the material used and how well you care for them. High-quality materials like zirconia or gold can last even longer—up to 20 years or more. Lifespan is also influenced by habits like grinding, chewing ice, and oral hygiene practices.
The crown procedure is done under local anaesthesia, so the process itself is not painful. After the anaesthesia wears off, you may experience mild soreness or sensitivity, especially around the gums or when biting. This usually goes away within a few days and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers if needed.
Crowns are considered a long-term dental restoration, but they are not technically permanent. Over time, they may need to be replaced due to wear, fracture, or changes in the underlying tooth or gum structure. With good care, a crown can last decades before needing replacement.
Yes! Crowns made of porcelain, ceramic, or zirconia can be custom-shaded and shaped to match the rest of your teeth. Skilled dental labs or digital scanning systems can mimic the texture, translucency, and colour of your natural teeth so closely that others won’t even notice you have a crown.
It depends on the tooth’s condition. Dental fillings are best for smaller areas of decay. A crown is better when a tooth is severely weakened, cracked, or has a large filling that compromises its structure. Crowns offer more comprehensive coverage and reinforcement.