A dental crown is a cap that covers a damaged tooth, restoring its strength, shape, and appearance so it works and looks like a healthy tooth again. When a tooth is cracked, heavily decayed, or weakened, a crown protects what is left and lets you go back to eating and smiling without thinking about it. Here is what a crown does and when you might need one.

What a crown actually does for you

A crown does more than cover a tooth. It holds a weakened or cracked tooth together so it does not break further, restores enough strength to chew normally on that side again, and rebuilds the natural shape so your bite lines up. When the tooth shows in your smile, a well-matched crown blends right in, so a tooth that was chipped or discolored looks whole again. In short, a crown takes a tooth you were favoring or hiding and makes it usable and natural again.

When you might need one

  • A cracked or broken tooth that needs to be held together and protected.
  • A heavily decayed tooth where a filling would not leave enough strength behind.
  • After a root canal, when the tooth becomes brittle and needs covering to last.
  • A worn-down tooth from grinding or years of use.
  • A misshapen or discolored tooth you want to restore cosmetically.

What it is made of

Crowns come in a few materials, and the right one depends on where the tooth sits in your mouth.

  • Porcelain or ceramic. These look the most natural and are the usual choice for teeth that show when you smile.
  • Porcelain fused to metal. Strong, though a thin metal line can sometimes show at the gum over time.
  • Metal or gold. Extremely durable and gentle on the opposing teeth, but the look keeps most people from using them on front teeth.

For most visible teeth, an all-ceramic crown gives the most natural result.

Can you get one in a single visit?

Traditionally a crown took two appointments with a temporary in between while an outside lab made the permanent one. With CEREC technology, Dr. Estrada can design, mill, and place many crowns in a single visit, with no temporary and no second trip. We explain how that works in our post on same-day crowns with CEREC.

How long does a crown last?

With good brushing, flossing, and regular checkups, a crown commonly lasts many years and often well over a decade. Avoid using your teeth to open packaging or chew ice, since that is hard on crowns and natural teeth alike. We wrote about that in our post on protecting your teeth.

Think you might need a crown?

If you have a cracked, aching, or worn tooth, the sooner it is looked at the more of it we can usually save. Dr. Estrada will examine the tooth and tell you whether a crown is the right fix. Learn more about our restorative and cosmetic work, then call 727-869-3886 or request a visit through our contact page.