A crown is an artificial cap that fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth. Crowns are a very effective way of restoring heavily repaired or broken teeth. They can be used on almost any teeth, and if properly maintained, can last a lifetime.
A crown could be used as a treatment for discolored filings, protect the physical integrity of the tooth after a root canal procedure or to help hold a bridge or denture firmly in place.
The process of making a crown involves trimming the tooth down to the desired shape. Impressions of the tooth are then taken from which the laboratory can construct the crown. Once fabricated, a crown is fitted over the tooth surface and bonded in place using special dental cements. The shape, size, color and surface characteristics of a crown are closely matched to the surrounding teeth. Once fitted, porcelain crowns provide a seamless and permanent restoration to a tooth.
