Crowns, sometimes called a "cap", covers a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size. A crown can be placed to:
- replace a large filling
- restore fractured teeth
- give strength to a root canal tooth
- cover badly shaped or discolored teeth
- cover a dental implant
- attach a bridge
Crowns are "cemented" onto an existing tooth and fully cover the portion of your tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes your tooth's new outer surface. Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or both. Porcelain crowns are most often preferred because they mimic the translucency of natural teeth and are very strong.
Crowns are needed when there is insufficient tooth strength remaining to hold a filling. Unlike fillings which apply the restorative material directly into your mouth, a crown is fabricated away from your mouth. Your crown is created from your unique tooth impression and is then sculpted just for you so that your bite and jaw movements function normally once the crown is placed.