As a lot of tooth tissue may need to be removed your dentist will normally give you a local anesthetic (injection) before starting treatment.


This tooth is heavily decayed and needs a crown to prevent the top part of the tooth breaking down completely. The decay is removed and any holes are filled with amalgam or a white filling material.

The tooth is then prepared using the drill. A ledge is made around the tooth and the top is cut down to make space for the gold. After this the dentist will take an impression of the tooth which is then sent to the laboratory. A model of the tooth is made from this and a crown made to fit.


The crown is then fitted. Special cement is used to bond it to the underlying tooth. The dentist may need to adjust it before the patient leaves the surgery so that the bite is just right.

This diagram shows what a tooth looks like after it has been prepared. The notches cut in the side help the crown stay on when it’s fitted. These are called retention grooves.