Crowns

A dental crown, often referred to as a "cap," is a custom-made, tooth-shaped covering that is permanently cemented over a damaged or weakened tooth. Its primary purpose is to fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth, restoring its original shape, size, strength, and improving its appearance. Crowns are indispensable in various situations. They are commonly used to protect a weak tooth from fracturing, especially after a large filling, or to hold parts of a cracked tooth together. After root canal therapy, a tooth can become brittle due to the removal of its internal pulp; a crown provides essential protection, preventing fracture and extending the tooth's life. Crowns are also used to cover severely discolored or misshapen teeth for cosmetic improvement, to cover a dental implant, or to hold a dental bridge in place.

Crowns can be fabricated from several materials, each offering different benefits. Porcelain or ceramic crowns are highly aesthetic, as they can be matched precisely to the color of your natural teeth, making them ideal for front teeth. Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns offer a balance of strength and aesthetics, with a metal substructure for durability and a porcelain layer for natural appearance. Gold alloy crowns are incredibly strong and biocompatible, often chosen for back teeth where chewing forces are greatest and aesthetics are less of a concern. Zirconia crowns are increasingly popular, offering exceptional strength and good aesthetics. The process for getting a crown typically involves two appointments: the first for preparing the tooth by removing a small amount of enamel to make space for the crown, taking impressions, and placing a temporary crown; the second for bonding the custom-made permanent crown.