Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers the entire visible part of a tooth. It restores the tooth’s shape and strength, protects it from cracking and looks like a natural tooth. At Tranquility Dentistry in Yamanto, we provide durable, natural-looking porcelain crowns for patients across Ipswich.

A crown is often recommended when:

• A tooth has a large filling and not enough natural structure left
• A tooth is cracked or causing pain when biting
• A tooth has had root canal treatment
• A tooth is badly worn from grinding
• A tooth is discoloured or misshapen and you want to improve its appearance

We use very strong, tooth-coloured materials such as porcelain and ceramic. These materials look like natural teeth and can handle the pressure of chewing and biting for many years. We will recommend the best material for your tooth based on its position and your bite.

With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, a well-made crown commonly lasts 10–15 years or longer. Avoiding habits such as chewing ice or opening packets with your teeth, and wearing a night guard if you grind, will help your crown last as long as possible.

A crown usually takes two appointments. At the first visit we prepare the tooth, take a precise impression or scan and fit a temporary crown. Your permanent crown is then custom-made, and at the second visit we check the fit, bite and colour before cementing it in place.

No. The tooth is fully numbed with local anaesthetic before we begin, so you should feel little more than some pressure. The tooth and gum may feel slightly tender for a few days afterwards. If you feel nervous, we also offer nitrous oxide (happy gas) at our Yamanto clinic.

A filling repairs a smaller area of damage inside the tooth, while a crown covers the whole tooth. When too much tooth structure is missing, a filling alone may not be strong enough and the tooth could fracture, so a crown gives much better long-term protection.

Back teeth that have had root canal treatment usually need a crown, as they become more brittle and are at risk of splitting. A crown gives the tooth a stable foundation and helps protect your investment in saving it.

Inlays and onlays are porcelain restorations that repair part of a tooth rather than covering all of it. They are stronger and longer lasting than standard fillings and preserve more natural tooth than a full crown. The cost is a little higher than a filling, but they usually need replacing less often.

The cost depends on the material, the tooth involved and whether any preparation work (such as a core build-up or root canal) is needed. We provide a clear written quote before starting. Health fund rebates vary depending on your fund and level of cover, and we process claims on the spot with HICAPS.

Yes. We offer payment plans through Zippay, Afterpay and DentiCare (subject to approval before your appointment), making it easier to protect a weakened tooth now rather than waiting until it breaks.

Yes. Porcelain crowns are colour-matched to your surrounding teeth and shaped to blend in with your smile. Most people will not be able to tell which tooth has been crowned.

In many cases, yes. A crown holds the tooth together and spreads biting forces evenly, which can relieve the sharp pain of a cracked tooth and stop the crack spreading. If the crack extends below the gum or into the root, other options may be needed. Early treatment gives the best chance of saving the tooth.

Care for your crown like a natural tooth: brush twice a day, floss daily around it and visit us every six months for a check-up and clean. The tooth underneath can still decay at the edges, so good hygiene is important.

Call us as soon as possible on (07) 3060 4724. Keep the crown safe and bring it with you, as it may be possible to re-cement it. Avoid chewing on that side in the meantime.

No. Porcelain does not respond to whitening products. If you are planning teeth whitening, it is best to whiten first so we can match your new crown to your brighter shade.

Sometimes. Crowns can improve teeth that are badly discoloured, misshapen or heavily restored. For mainly cosmetic changes to front teeth, veneers may be a more conservative option. We will discuss the choices with you.

Yes. Crowns can be placed on top of dental implants, or joined together as a dental bridge to replace a missing tooth using the neighbouring teeth for support.

Tranquility Dentistry is conveniently located at Shop 7, 428 Warwick Road, Yamanto. We welcome patients from Ipswich, Raceview, Flinders View, Amberley, Willowbank, Walloon, Deebing Heights, Ripley, Springfield, Redbank and Brassall, as well as the Scenic Rim and Lockyer Valley.

Call (07) 3060 4724, email info@tranquilitydentistry.com.au or book online. We will examine the tooth, take any x-rays needed and discuss your options and costs before any treatment begins.