Dental Crown

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that fits over a damaged, decayed or weakened tooth to restore its shape, size, strength and appearance. Crowns are used when a simple filling is insufficient and can be made from porcelain, ceramic, metal alloys or combinations such as porcelain-fused-to-metal, each offering different balances of strength and aesthetics.

The procedure typically involves reshaping the existing tooth, taking impressions for a laboratory-made crown and placing a temporary crown until the permanent restoration is ready, after which the crown is cemented in place. With good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups a crown can last many years, but patients should be aware of possible issues such as sensitivity, wear, fracture or decay developing at the crown margins that may require repair or replacement.