As well as offering the traditional approach, Larkham House Dental Practice offers expert same-day restorations with dental crowns, onlays and bridges, using traditional and advanced digital dentistry for efficient and precise results.

Crowns

A dental crown is a highly effective solution for restoring damaged or weak teeth. At Larkham House, we offer expert crown procedures to protect and strengthen your teeth. Here’s everything you need to know about dental crowns and how they can benefit your smile.

A dental crown is often required when a tooth is weak, cracked, or damaged. This protective “sleeve” fits snugly over the exposed part of the tooth, above the gumline, to hold the tooth together and prevent further damage. It acts as a shield for teeth that are prone to cracking, as well as for worn-down teeth that need extra protection.

Crowns are also ideal for teeth that have undergone root canal treatments or have large fillings. When there’s not enough natural tooth left to support a filling, a crown can provide the necessary structure. Dental crowns are also used to cover discoloured or misshapen teeth, restoring their natural appearance and function.

Additionally, crowns are essential in some cases of dental bridges. They serve as anchors for the bridge, holding it securely in place and providing a seamless smile.

Benefits of Dental Crowns

Longevity: A dental crown can last anywhere from five to 15 years, depending on your lifestyle, habits, and how well you care for your teeth.
Natural Appearance: Crowns are designed to blend in perfectly with your natural teeth, ensuring that your smile looks seamless and attractive.
Functionality: Once fitted, you can treat your dental crown just like a normal tooth, making eating and speaking comfortable and easy.
Protection: Crowns help to prevent further damage, potentially delaying the need for tooth extraction and replacement.

Caring for Your Crown

Taking care of your dental crown is easy. With good oral hygiene, you can ensure it lasts for years. Regular brushing, flossing, and routine check-ups at Larkham House Dental Practice are essential for maintaining your crown’s integrity and your overall oral health.

Do You Need a Post Crown?

If you have a root-filled tooth, a post might be needed for support before placing the crown. Posts can be prefabricated from stainless steel or custom-made to fit your tooth precisely. Once in place, the crown is securely attached.

How Long Will a Crown Last?

A crown’s lifespan depends on how well you care for it. While the crown itself won’t decay, decay can occur where the crown meets the tooth. With good oral hygiene, crowns can last 10-20 years.

Bridges

Dental bridges replace missing teeth, offering an alternative to dentures and implants. A bridge fuses crowns or partial crowns with an artificial tooth, restoring both function and appearance. Longer bridges may have a shorter lifespan due to the risk of fracture.

The Benefits of Dental Bridges

Choosing a dental bridge offers many benefits:

Restores the look of a complete, healthy smile.
Supports your bite, making it easier to eat and speak.
Helps maintain the shape of your face.
Prevents surrounding teeth from shifting into the empty space.
Reduces the risk of decay and gum disease in remaining teeth.
Offers a cost-effective alternative to dental implants.

By filling the gap, a dental bridge strengthens your smile and supports your long-term oral health.

Can a Bridge Always Replace Missing Teeth?

Not everyone is a candidate for a bridge. We’ll assess your teeth and bone structure to ensure a bridge is the best option for you.

Materials Used for Crowns and Bridges

Crowns and bridges are made from resin, ceramic (Including Zirconia & Emax materials), metal alloy, or a combination of ceramic bonded to metal. This mix offers both strength and an attractive appearance.

Onlays

An onlay is a type of indirect dental restoration that repairs a tooth with extensive decay or damage, particularly when the damage is too significant for a filling but not severe enough to require a full crown. Sometimes referred to as “partial crowns” because they cover one or more cusps (the raised points) of the tooth.

Unlike traditional fillings, which are applied directly to the tooth, onlays are fabricated outside the mouth—typically from materials such as porcelain, composite resin, or gold—before being bonded onto the affected tooth.

Find out more about onlays here.

How Are Crowns , Onlays and Bridges Made?

Traditionally, crowns, bridges & onlays take two weeks to make, with tooth preparation and impressions sent to a lab. However, at Larkham House, we can use digital dentistry to create and fit your crown or bridge on the same day, eliminating the need for temporary solutions.

Caring for Your Crowns, Onlays and Bridges

Daily cleaning under your crown and bridge is essential to prevent issues like bad breath and gum disease. We’ll show you how to use special tools like bridge needles or super floss. Regular check-ups will help catch and address any potential problems early.

At Larkham House Dental Practice, we combine expertise with cutting-edge technology to deliver same-day dental crowns and bridges, ensuring you leave with a restored smile in just one visit.

Laura Johnson

19:36 24 Oct 22

Very friendly staff! I suffer with anxiety and every time I have an appointment the dentist is very patient and goes through everything to make sure I am OK and not too nervous. The dentist nurses, particularly Rachel is amazing! Especially with my children when they come in makes me feel at ease!

Teresa Floyd

08:16 21 Aug 22

Had a referral from Seven Trees as I had severe dental painI am a very nervous patient however the service I received was outstanding from the minute I arrived to the minute I left and no more tooth painThank you so much

Christine Boyle

20:10 07 Apr 22

Had an appointment with Clohe yesterday and I can't praise her enough. So thorough and nothing was too much trouble for her. She was very caring and cosiderat e I felt relaxed and nothing was too much of a problem for her too deal with. My appointment was not rushed .

Adam Davie

19:59 10 Oct 21

From the offset call confirming my appointment this dental practice experience was five star compared to dentist based Midlands . Front desk staff / nurses excellent giving me the reassurance that I was booked in with a great dentist as I personally have a fear of the dentist being in my late 30s . After my review etc with the dentist it was forgone conclusion that a full on extraction was required the dentist himself was unbelievable reassuring excellent service total professionalism which I haven’t come across recently, great team whom care about the patient journey I most certainly didn’t just feel like a number under their care . Thank you to all staff at Larkham House Dental Practice.

Anthony Grave

20:07 12 May 21

Very good

brian rogers

16:08 18 Mar 21

On the 18/3/21 I had 2 extractions From the outset the staff were very friendly helpful and very professional the Dentist was brilliant I never felt hardly any of the extractions I will definitely use a again excellent service thank you...

Dental Crowns, Onlays and Bridges