If tooth damage is too extreme for a partial restoration, your dentist will have a crown made for you to cover the tooth and avoid further damage.
A crown is strongly recommended following root canal treatment. It can also be used to:
- cap broken teeth
- cover teeth with very large fillings
- correct a tooth's improper positioning, shape or colour
- correct a tooth’s occlusion
Crowns may be made of porcelain fused to a metal alloy, porcelain alone, or a gold alloy if appearance is not a consideration. In fact, a new technology allows dentists to produce custom-made ceramic restorations right in the office.
Sometimes it may be necessary to perform root canal treatment before installing the crown, and cement a post into the canal to support it.
The lifetime of a crown depends on a number of factors:
- the nature of the damage to the tooth
- the quality of support from the bone and gums
- the materials used
- occlusion, meaning the way the crown fits against opposing teeth
The lifetime of a crown may also depend on the client’s esthetic requirements.
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Preparing a tooth for a crown
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Final result after the crown is installed
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