A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers a tooth or dental implant to improve its appearance and strength. Crowns can be used to treat a variety of dental issues, including:
- Large cavities: Crowns can help save a tooth that’s been damaged by decay and can’t support a filling
- Root canals: Crowns should finish root canal treatment by covering the exposed tooth and strengthening the tooth
- Weak teeth: Crowns can support a tooth that’s weak or worn down
- Cosmetic: Crowns can improve the appearance of a tooth
Crowns can be made from a variety of materials, including:
- Ceramic: Made from strong materials like alumina, these are designed to look like natural teeth and are often used for anterior teeth
- Zirconia: Combines strength with natural aesthetics
- Porcelain fused to metal: Combines the strength of metal with the look of porcelain- also used rarely now in very specific situations
- Metal alloys: Strong and durable, these were often used in the past for posterior teeth- usually gold in appearance now are used extremely rarely