Dental Crown
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth.
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth.
Dental crowns preserve the usefulness of damaged teeth. A dental crown may be used to protect a cracked tooth, restore a tooth with excessive decay or replace a pre-existing crown.
How do Crowns Work?
A crown is used to entirely cover or “cap” a damaged tooth. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve its appearance, shape or alignment. A crown can also be placed on top of an implant to provide a tooth-like shape and structure for function. Porcelain or ceramic crowns can be matched to the color of your natural teeth. Other materials include gold and metal alloys, acrylic and ceramic. These alloys are generally stronger than porcelain and may be recommended for back teeth. Porcelain bonded to a metal shell is often used because it is both strong and attractive.
Your dentist may recommend a crown to:
- Replace a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
- Restore a fractured tooth
- Attach a bridge
- Cover a dental implant or discolored or poorly shaped tooth or a tooth that has had root canal treatment
