A crown (commonly called a ‘cap’) is a custom made restoration that is placed over a damaged, broken or heavily filled tooth to restore its normal shape, size and function.
It makes the tooth stronger, therefore commonly used to protect teeth from fracturing. A crown can be used to enhance aesthetics by masking a dark tooth, but they can also restore functionality by mimicking the shape and size of a natural tooth so that you can bite normally again.
Crowns can be made of a variety of materials including cosmetic white crowns (or yellow gold crowns if you prefer). Depending on the state of the tooth being treated, the position in the mouth and the patient’s aesthetic concerns, the dentist will advise and discuss what options are suitable for your needs.
Situations where a crown may be needed:
- A cavity that is too large for a filling
- A cracked or weak tooth
- A broken tooth
- To protect and seal a tooth after root canal treatment
- As part of a bridge to replace a missing tooth
