A crown can return structure, strength, and appearance to a tooth with extensive decay or damage. Designed to fit snugly and function as a healthy tooth, a crown will protect your tooth from further damage and preserve the jaw's correct natural alignment.
Crowns are typically placed for patients whose teeth have been broken or severely damaged by decay to the point where a filling cannot replace enough of the tooth or make the tooth strong enough.
Depending on your specific situation, the doctor may propose a precious metal, porcelain pressed (or fused) to metal or an all-porcelain crown. Precise color-matching system allows your dentist to find the right shade of porcelain to blend with your natural tooth color. Porcelain crowns are extremely durable and long lasting – benefits which make them popular with dentists and patients alike.
It typically takes only a couple of short appointments to design, fit and place a crown. Once a crown is placed, you take care of it the same way you care for your natural teeth. Brushing twice a day and daily flossing will protect the base of your crown from bacterial growth. Be sure to see your dentist at least twice a year for professional cleanings and preventive exams.