Dental Crowns for Front Teeth
Reviewed Nov 2023 by Our Content Experts
Dental crowns (or tooth caps) can be used to restore and protect chipped or cracked front teeth. They are also commonly used to improve the aesthetic appeal of a smile.
They might be used to:
- Repair a chipped or cracked tooth
- Protect a weak tooth
- Support a dental bridge
- Cover a tooth with a large filling
- Cover a dental implant
- Cover misshaped or discoloured teeth.
Whether you're looking to restore a damaged or discoloured front tooth, dental crowns are a great solution. You can find more information regarding dental crowns in our comprehensive guide.
How crowns are done on front teeth
The procedure for placing a crown on a front tooth is generally performed in these steps:
- Approximately 1mm of tooth structure is removed on every aspect of the tooth.
- An impression of the tooth is taken and sent to a lab where a crown/tooth cap is created to fit over your existing tooth.
- A temporary crown is placed on the tooth to protect it until the crown is ready.
- You'll be called back to the dentist once the crown is ready.
- The dentist anesthetises the area to make sure you're comfortable.
- Your temporary crown is replaced with the new crown.
How long can crowns for front teeth last?
Depending on the material of your crowns and how well they're looked after, you can expect them to last between 5 to 15 years.
How much do crowns for front teeth cost?
| State | Regular patients pay |
smile.com.au Members pay |
|---|---|---|
| ACT | $1,932 - $2,240 | $1,711 |
| NSW | $1,833 - $2,234 | $1,628 |
| NT | $2,018 - $2,202 | $1,717 |
| QLD | $1,799 - $1,990 | $1,619 |
| SA | $1,738 - $2,173 | $1,580 |
| TAS | $1,945 - $2,139 | $1,764 |
| VIC | $1,793 - $2,357 | $1,600 |
| WA | $1,797 - $2,056 | $1,601 |
| Notes: Source: Australian Dental Association (ADA). This dental fee example involves item numbers 011, 022 and 613. It is a guide only and your personal situation should be discussed with your smile.com.au dentist. The fees will vary depending on the smile.com.au dentist visited & will be reduced and capped. | ||
Depending on the state you live in smile.com.au members can save between $158 and $221 on a dental crowns.
How to make a front tooth crown not stand out
While your dentist will do everything they can to match the shade of your crown to your natural teeth, if the colour isn't right, it can look out of place.
The colour of your crown can depend on the material it's made of. Porcelain crowns are the most popular choice for front teeth as they provide the best colour match, and this more realistic look makes them less noticeable.
If you're considering having your teeth whitened, it's important to do this before getting your dental crowns. Crowns are resistant to whitening, so it's best to have your crowns' colour matched to your whitened teeth to avoid them standing out.
Tips on caring for front teeth crowns
The longevity of your crowns depend on how well they're cared for as well as the material they're made from. Below are a few tips on how to care for your front teeth crowns:
- Brush and floss your teeth properly everyday
- After flossing, slide flossing material out rather than lifting as it may pull off the crown
- Try not to be too abrasive when brushing as it could damage the crown
- Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups (recommended every 6 months)
- Opt for a crown routine cleaning 3-4 times a year with your dentist
- Minimise using your front teeth.
To reduce the risk of damaging your front tooth crown, avoid:
- Biting or chewing nails
- Biting hard objects such as pens, pencils or ice
- Using your teeth to open plastic packaging
- Food and beverages that could stain your teeth, as adjacent teeth can still become discoloured and make the crown stand out
- Chewy or sticky foods since they can grab and pull at the crown.
