A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over a tooth – covering the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength and / or to improve its appearance. The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.

Why Is a Dental Crown Needed?

A dental crown may be needed in the following situations:

1. To protect a weak tooth (for instance, from decay) from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth
2. To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down
3. To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t a lot of tooth left
4. To hold a dental bridge in place
5. To cover misshaped or severely discolored teeth
6. To cover a dental implant

Types of Dental Crowns

There are three basic types of materials for dental crowns :

• Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) dental crowns

• All porcelain dental crowns

• All metal dental crowns

Course of treatment

In the best case, the new crown is installed in two dentist visits in one week’s time. The inconvenience and after-effects will be minimal.

• Before procedure : The dentist makes a first evaluation and makes an impression of the existing crown. The impression is used as the prototype for the new crown.

• Preparing the old tooth : The natural tooth is given minor preparation or adjustments. A temporary crown is attached.

• Placing the new crown : A week or so after the first visit, the permanent crown is securely fitted. Normally, it will serve its owner for life.

• End result : The end result is a new tooth that should blend in perfectly with the others. Brush and floss as recommended by your dentist or dental hygienist.

Alternative to an all-ceramic crown :

Simply put, a new all-ceramic Procera crown is esthetically superior to any other type of crown. You just can’t get the same finish and natural, living look with a traditional metal core crown. However, the latter is an established and well-known solution.

This is probably why it is still commonly used, even though function, installation and price are normally equal to that of a ceramic crown.