Crowns (or caps) are used for a tooth when there is no longer sufficient tooth structure left to place a filling.  This could be due to tooth decay, accidents or for the teeth that have undergone root canal therapy.  However, crowns are also used to correct esthetic problems such as mal-position and/or malformation of the teeth.   Nevertheless, a crown replaces the natural feel and beauty as well as strength of a natural tooth.

A crown covers five sides of the tooth and provides strength and aesthetic to the tooth.  Crowns are fabricated from ceramic, ceramic fused to metal or gold.  Porcelain and porcelain fused to metal crowns are impossible to distinguish from adjacent teeth if done properly.  It is believed that gold is a bio compatible material and gold crowns are used for the teeth where function is more an issue than esthetic, i.e., back molar teeth.

Crowns require two or more visits:

During the first visit, the decayed tooth structure is removed and tooth is prepared for the crown.  A shade guide is used to determine the shade of the adjacent teeth.  The impression of the prepared tooth is taken and sent to the dental laboratory for fabrication with the desired shade.  The prepared tooth is protected by temporary acrylic crowns.

In the second visit,  the temporary crown is removed and the tooth is cleaned.  The fabricated crown is placed evaluated and cemented in place.  If properly cared, crowns can last for a long time.

Sometimes during the first visit it is determined the tooth requires a root canal therapy.  In addition, depending on how much tooth structure is lost and if root canal therapy was performed, a core or a post & core might be necessary to provide a base for the crown and add strength to the core of the tooth.