A crown is like a cup that covers the portion of a tooth which is at and above the gum line. Once it is glued on, the dental crown becomes the tooth's new outer surface. Dental crowns are sometimes called "dental caps" or "tooth caps."

Dental crowns are custom-fit to your teeth. The shape and size of the crown is based on molds of your teeth taken by the dentist. The molds are used by dental technicians, or the equivalent, to make your crowns.

Crowns are needed when a tooth is generally broken down and fillings can not suffice to alleviate the problem. The crown holds the tooth together to seal in the cracks and prevent the tooth from further cracking. It can be also used to support a large filling, attach a bridge, guard weak teeth from fracturing, restore fractured teeth, cover up badly shaped or discolored teeth, and protect a root-canal filled tooth.

Crowns can be prefabricated or made in a laboratory. Prefabricated crowns are made of plastic or stainless steel and can be used as a temporary restoration until a permanent crown is manufactured. In some cases, prefabricated crowns can be used as a permanent restoration.

Types of Dental Crowns

• A telescopic crown builds up a tooth to be the height of its neighbours. Some dentists charge less for this type of crown.
  
  
• A temporary crown is a plastic casing placed on an implant or in other cases where a permanent crown cannot yet be placed. A temporary crown provides aesthetics, helps prevent infection, and allows chewing.
  
  
• An implant crown takes more work. When a crown is placed on top of an implant, the entire enamel "tooth" is created which takes more time and more materials. Some dentists charge more for this type of crown.

Crowns can be made from a variety of materials:

Porcelain crowns, also referred to as ceramic crowns, are the most "lifelike" type. However, a 100% porcelain crown may be chipped more easily, and may also be translucent or allow light through. Porcelain can be placed over metal for added support and less translucence. 100% porcelain sometimes costs more.

Metal crowns are usually made from a gold alloy or other metal alloy. Some metals are tolerated better by our bodies, and some are not. Metal crowns are not "lifelike" so are not as popular as they once were, but metal can add underlying support to a porcelain crown.

Composite crowns are usually made from an acrylic or a resin material. These are less expensive but not as lifelike. They may also stain more easily.

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