Overview

Crowns are synthetic caps, usually made of a material like porcelain, placed on the top of a tooth.

Crowns are typically used to restore a tooth's function and appearance following a restorative procedure such as a root canal or to prevent a cracked tooth from becoming worse. Crowns also serve when decay in a tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed.

Procedures

An exact mold is made of the tooth requiring restoration. The impression is sent to a special lab. A temporary crown is fabricated.

Caring For Your Crowns

With proper care, a good quality crown could last up to eight years or longer. It is very important to floss in the area of the crown to avoid excess plaque or collection of debris around the restoration.

Certain behaviors such as jaw clenching or bruxism (teeth grinding) significantly shorten the life of a crown. Moreover, eating brittle foods, ice or hard candy can compromise the adhesion of the crown, or even damage the crown.