Crowns, Bridges & Restorations

You may experience mild sensitivity following treatment. It’s often recommended to stick to softer foods for a short period while your teeth settle and adjust.

Most restorative treatments are carried out with local anaesthetic to ensure comfort. We take every step to make your experience as relaxed and pain-free as possible.

This depends on the type of restoration. Fillings can often be completed in a single visit, while treatments such as crowns or implants may require multiple appointments.

Restorative treatment may be needed if a tooth is damaged, decayed, or missing. It can also be recommended early to prevent more serious issues developing over time.

Zirconia and full-ceramic porcelain are the two top choices for most cases. Zirconia is extremely strong and excellent for back teeth. Full-ceramic porcelain is slightly less strong but superior for aesthetics in front teeth. Porcelain-fused-to-metal is a good middle ground. Gold is rarely chosen now except for back molars with very high bite forces — it’s extremely durable but obviously visible. We’ll recommend the right material based on the tooth’s position and your preferences.

No — not during the procedure. Local anaesthetic numbs the tooth completely while we prepare it, so you’ll feel pressure but no pain. Some tenderness for a few days afterwards is normal. If you’re nervous, sedation is available. Most patients are surprised at how comfortable the whole process is.

Well-made crowns typically last 10–20 years, often longer. Lifespan depends on material (zirconia and porcelain are both excellent), the health of the underlying tooth, oral hygiene, bite forces (grinding shortens lifespan), and regular dental check-ups. Occasional re-cementation or replacement may be needed over decades.

Crowns are recommended when: (1) a tooth is too damaged or decayed for a filling to safely restore; (2) after root canal treatment (to protect the now-brittle tooth); (3) for teeth with significant cracks or fractures; (4) for severely worn teeth from grinding; or (5) occasionally for cosmetic purposes when a veneer isn’t sufficient. At your consultation, we’ll assess whether a crown is the right option — sometimes a large filling, inlay or onlay will do the job more conservatively.

Our crowns start from £795 per tooth, with 0% interest-free finance available to spread the cost. The exact figure depends on the material chosen and the tooth involved — we'll always give you a clear, itemised price before any treatment, with no hidden costs.

It depends on how much of the tooth is affected. A veneer covers just the front surface and needs minimal preparation, so it's ideal for chipped, worn or slightly uneven front teeth. A crown covers the whole tooth and is better for heavily damaged or root-treated teeth. We'll assess your tooth and recommend the most conservative option that gives a lasting result.

Porcelain veneers start from £795 per tooth, with 0% interest-free finance available. We'll give you a clear price at your consultation once we've planned the result you want.

Composite bonding is applied in a single visit and is more affordable and reversible; porcelain veneers are lab-made, more durable and more stain-resistant, and tend to last longer. Bonding is often the better first step for smaller changes — you can read more on our composite bonding in Leeds page — while veneers suit longer-term, more comprehensive changes.

Brushing twice daily is essential but doesn’t reach beneath the bridge. You’ll need specialist tools: superfloss (a threaded floss that passes under the bridge), interdental brushes, or a water flosser. We’ll demonstrate proper technique at your fitting appointment and reinforce it at regular hygiene visits. Cleaning under the bridge takes 10–20 extra seconds a day but is crucial for long-term success.

Yes — bridges restore near-normal chewing function. Stick to softer foods for the first few days while you adjust, then gradually return to your normal diet. Very hard or sticky foods (hard caramels, ice cubes, extremely crunchy nuts) can damage bridges and are best avoided. Most patients forget they have a bridge once they’ve adapted.

Well-made bridges typically last 10–15 years, sometimes longer. Lifespan depends on oral hygiene (keeping the area beneath the bridge meticulously clean is essential), the health of abutment teeth, bite forces (grinding shortens lifespan), and material quality. Regular check-ups and hygiene visits maximise longevity.

Implants are generally the superior long-term solution — they don’t affect neighbouring teeth, they preserve bone, and they can last a lifetime. Bridges require preparing (drilling down) the teeth on either side, which can create problems 10–15 years later. However, bridges are faster (weeks vs months), less expensive upfront, and avoid surgery — making them the right choice when those factors matter, or when adjacent teeth already have large restorations that could serve as bridge abutments.

Technically yes, but less commonly — front teeth are more often restored with composite fillings or veneers than with inlays/onlays. Inlays and onlays are most commonly used on back teeth (molars and premolars) where chewing forces are high and larger repairs are often needed. For front teeth, we’d typically recommend composite fillings for small repairs or veneers for larger aesthetic changes.

No. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you’ll feel pressure but no pain. Some tenderness for a few days afterwards is normal (especially for deeper preparations). Most patients are surprised at how comfortable the whole process is. If you’re nervous, sedation is available.

Porcelain inlays and onlays typically last 15–20 years, often longer. Composite versions typically last 7–10 years. Both can significantly outlast equivalent-sized fillings because they’re lab-crafted under ideal conditions and made from stronger materials. Regular check-ups monitor condition and catch any issues early.

Depends on how much natural tooth is left. Small cavities: filling is the best option (fastest, cheapest, minimal preparation). Large cavities with healthy tooth structure still remaining: inlay or onlay preserves more tooth than a crown. Teeth with extensive damage, cracks, or after root canal treatment: a crown is usually needed for full coverage and protection. We’ll assess your specific tooth and recommend the most appropriate option.

In most cases, yes — especially for back teeth. Root-canal-treated teeth are weaker than natural teeth and vulnerable to fracture under chewing forces. A crown reinforces the tooth and dramatically improves its long-term survival. Skipping the crown is a false economy that often leads to tooth loss.

A properly treated, properly restored tooth can last a lifetime. Studies show 85–97% success rates over 8+ years. The key is a thorough cleaning of all canals and a good crown afterwards to protect against fracture. Regular check-ups let us monitor the tooth for any long-term issues.

Most root canals are completed in one visit of 60–90 minutes. More complex cases (usually back molars with curved canals) may need two appointments. We’ll let you know what to expect at your consultation based on X-rays of the tooth.

No — the procedure itself is comfortable. Local anaesthetic numbs the tooth completely, so you won’t feel pain during treatment. Most patients say it feels no different to having a filling. The painful part is the infection before treatment — root canal therapy is what ends the pain, not causes it.

No — white fillings are placed under effective local anaesthetic, so the procedure is comfortable. Most patients feel nothing beyond a little pressure, and sedation is available if you're nervous.

A well-placed composite (white) filling typically lasts 7–10 years or more. Longevity depends on the size of the filling, where it is in the mouth and your oral hygiene — we place ours in careful layers for the best possible durability.

Yes. Many patients choose to replace old metal fillings with tooth-coloured composite for a healthier, mercury-free and more natural-looking result. We'll advise whether replacement is worthwhile for each filling rather than replacing sound ones unnecessarily.