A dental crown is a custom tooth shaped cover that is cemented onto a natural tooth to restore its appearance and/or function. A crown may be needed in the following situations:
- To restore an already broken tooth or in risk of breakage.
- To protect a tooth that has been largely restored with a filling and/or root canal treatment has been carried out.
- To cover and therefore improve the appearance of a tooth that is misshapen or severely discoloured
- To cover a dental implant and restore its function.
Crowns are done to measure by a dental laboratory and in different materials:
- Metal crown: They include gold alloy or a mixed of precious metals
- Bonded porcelain crown: These crowns are colour-matched to the adjacent teeth. They consist in a core done with a mixed of previous metals and porcelain covering all the surface.
- All-ceramic crowns: They provide the best natural colour match than any other crown type. They are the best choice for front teeth.