Dental Crowns

A crown is one of the most common treatments in restorative dentistry, because it can save a tooth that is too damaged for a filling.

What a crown is

A crown is a “cap” cemented onto an existing tooth that usually covers the portion of your tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes your tooth’s new outer surface.

When you need a crown

• A tooth has a large cavity or old filling and not enough healthy tooth left to hold a new filling
• A tooth is cracked, broken or badly worn, often from grinding
• A tooth has had root canal treatment and needs protection from breaking
• To anchor a dental bridge or cover a dental implant
• To improve the shape or color of a misshapen or discolored tooth

Crowns or onlays (partial crowns) are needed when there is not enough tooth strength remaining to hold a filling. An onlay covers only the damaged part of the chewing surface, saving more of your natural tooth when the damage allows it.

Crown materials

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. Metal crowns rarely chip and are very durable but are more noticeable, so they are usually reserved for back teeth. Porcelain fused to metal combines the strength of a metal base with a tooth-colored surface. We will recommend a material based on where the tooth is and how much force it takes when you chew.

How your crown is made

Unlike fillings, which apply the restorative material directly into your mouth, a crown is fabricated away from your mouth. Your crown is created in a lab from your unique tooth impression, which allows a dental laboratory technician to examine all aspects of your bite and jaw movements. Your crown is then sculpted just for you so that your bite and jaw movements function normally once it is placed.

The two visits

1. Preparing the tooth. The tooth is numbed, any decay is removed, and the tooth is shaped so the crown can fit over it. An impression is taken and a temporary crown protects the tooth.
2. Placing the crown. When your crown returns from the lab, usually in two to three weeks, the temporary is removed and the new crown is checked for fit, color and bite, then cemented in place.

Caring for your crown

Brush and floss around your crown just like a natural tooth. The tooth underneath can still develop decay at the gum line, so regular checkups remain important. Avoid chewing ice and hard objects, and wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth. With good care, crowns commonly last many years.

Crowns are often partly covered by dental insurance; see our financial information page for payment options. Request an appointment to find out whether a crown is the right fix for your tooth.