Phobia of Dental Crowns


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A dental crown is only really necessary when any tooth decay you may suffer from reaches a certain point where a filling would be too big and leave your tooth weakened. The procedure is relatively commonly done, but despite this can be a source of fear if you suffer from a dental phobia.

What is a dental crown and why would I need one?

A dental crown is a tooth coloured covering that protects a tooth that has suffered too much decay for a standard filling. A sugary diet and/or poor oral hygiene can both contribute to tooth decay in this fashion. Similarly a crown is used for tooth injuries that wouldn’t be suitable for a filling, like a crack in your teeth that can’t be filled. The crown itself is made from either porcelain or ceramic, and in some cases, glass. It is possible to get golden crowns as well, although most of us would choose a crown that looks as natural as possible.


Fitting a dental crown is a two stage process, your dentist prepares your tooth for the fitting of your crown (which is the second step). The preparatory stage involves first trimming and shaping your tooth for a crown, after that, a mould of your tooth is made, from which the crown itself is made. A temporary crown is often fitted at this stage, allowing your dentist enough time to work on your permanent crown. It is extremely important to get your crown shaped properly as you want it to be as functional and comfortable as your original teeth. Once ready, your crown is fixed by means of a dental cement.

A dental crown is fitted under the influence a local anaesthetic, which numbs the area in which the crown is fitted, making the process painless and straightforward.

Dental phobia and dental crowns

Depending on the nature of your dental phobia, going for a procedure like a dental crown can be difficult. The treatment does involve the use of a needle to apply a local anaesthetic, and if you are needle, pain, or anaesthesia phobic, this can be a serious issue. Alternatively you could suffer from a more general fear of the dentist’s, which may keep you from necessary treatments. Regardless of the nature of your phobia, the best thing to do is talk to your dentist about what it is that you are afraid of. This can be easier said than done, but discussing your issues with your dentist can give him/her the opportunity to help you.

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