A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth. It is used to cover a tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and improve its appearance. The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.
A crown may be needed in the following situations:
- To protect a weak tooth (ie. one with severe decay, or one with a history of root canal therapy) from breaking
- To protect a cracked tooth
- To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down
- To cover and support a tooth with a large filling
- To hold a dental bridge in place
- To cover misshaped or severely discolored teeth
- To cover a dental implant
- To make a cosmetic modification
Depending upon the circumstance, there are different types of crowns that will be appropriate for your situation. Crowns can be full metal (such as gold or another metal alloy), porcelain-fused-to-metal, all ceramic, and zirconia.