Dental Crowns

What are Dental Crowns?

A natural dental crown (your original tooth) is made of white enamel on the outside and yellow dentin supporting the enamel beneath it. An artificial dental crown sometimes called a “cap”, replaces missing or damaged natural tooth structure with tooth-colored materials like porcelain and/or metals such as gold.

Do I need a Dental Crown?

When a natural dental crown is severely damaged or weakened by decay, fracture, large fillings or root canal therapy it needs the strength and protection of a dental crown. A weakened or damaged tooth that lacks a strong foundation and the protection of a strong dental crown may break in a way that renders it non-restorable and the tooth will have to be extracted. Dental crowns are used to cover and protect teeth from breaking as a post root canal treatment when there isn’t enough natural dental crown structure left to hold a filling or make the tooth strong enough. A dental crown can also hold together a cracked tooth or support and strengthen a natural dental crown that is part of a dental bridge. Dental crowns help preserve the natural function and position of the teeth. Dental crowns can also serve a combined cosmetic and restorative purpose when they cover dental implants or correct problems with tooth size, color and shape.