Dental Crown

A dental crown, sometimes called a cap, completely covers your damaged tooth. It is cemented into place and offers a strong, solid, good­looking replacement for a natural tooth. A crown is created in a lab and is made from models your dentist makes with impressions, so it fits your mouth perfectly; replicating the shape, size and position of your severely damaged.

Reasons your dentist would recommend a dental crown:

  • To replace a large filling that no longer has enough tooth structure to continue to fill the cavity.
  • To protect a weak tooth from further chipping, breaking or fracturing.
  • To restore a fractured/cracked tooth.
  • To cover a poorly shaped tooth or discolored tooth
  • To attach a dental bridge (see more below)
  • To protect and restore a tooth that has had a root canal 
  • To cover a dental implant

No matter the reason you need a crown, it is well worth it. Your tooth will be stronger and more stable, it will last longer, it will look better, and you’ll feel better. Just as with tooth cavity filling materials, many types of dental crown materials exist. Your Dental Associates providers will discuss the options when planning your treatment.

Type of dental crowns:

Temporary crowns: these crowns are acrylic or metal alloy and are made right in the dentist’s office. They cover the tooth while a permanent crown is being created in our in­house dental lab.

Stainless steel crowns:

these are prefabricated crowns that are used on permanent and baby teeth.Stainless steel crowns are generally used for children's teeth because they are cost­ effective and can be put on in one visit.

Metal crowns:

these crowns can be made from cast gold alloys or cast silver palladium alloys. With a metal crown, less tooth structure needs to be removed and the wear on opposing teeth is minimal. Metal crowns withstand biting and chewing well and last the longest. They also rarely chip or break.

Porcelain­fused­to­metal crowns:

these dental crowns contain an inner metal casting with porcelain baked over it. They look natural and can be very aesthetic. Occasionally they may chip and show the underlying metal. Most porcelain crowns are slightly more abrasive and may wear the natural enamel of the opposing teeth.

All ceramic or all porcelain crowns:

these dental crowns are very common and provide optimum aesthetic results. Like all porcelains, they are slightly more abrasive and can wear the opposing
teeth.