A dental crown is a cap that is placed over a damaged, decayed, or weakened tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. It completely encases the visible portion of the tooth above the gum line.
Why Are Dental Crowns Used?
Dental crowns are recommended for several reasons:
- To protect a weakened tooth (e.g., from decay or a large filling)
- To restore a broken or worn-down tooth
- To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when little tooth structure remains
- To hold a dental bridge in place
- To cover misshaped or severely discolored teeth
- To cover a dental implant
- After root canal treatment to reinforce the tooth
Types of Dental Crowns
- Porcelain or Ceramic Crowns
- Best for front teeth (natural look)
- Biocompatible (no metal)
- Metal Crowns (Gold or Base Metal Alloys)
- Very durable and strong
- Used for back teeth
- Not aesthetically ideal
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns
- Combines strength of metal with aesthetics of porcelain
- May show a dark line near the gums over time
- Zirconia Crowns
- Extremely strong and durable
- Aesthetic and long-lasting
- Resin Crowns
- Less expensive
- Less durable (used temporarily)
The Dental Crown Procedure
- Tooth Preparation: The tooth is shaped to make room for the crown.
- Impression: An impression is taken to custom-make the crown.
- Temporary Crown: A temporary crown may be placed while the permanent one is made.
- Final Placement: The permanent crown is cemented into place.
Care and Maintenance
- Brush and floss regularly
- Avoid hard foods that can damage the crown
- Regular dental check-ups