Has your dentist recently told you, you need a crown? You may be wondering what is a dental crown? A dental crown, commonly known as a “cap”, is a covering made of materials such as zirconia, porcelain, or gold that is placed over your tooth. A crown’s primary purpose is to restore a tooth’s functionality.

What does a dental crown do? A dental crown is designed to retore the shape and integrity of a damaged tooth or cover a dental implant. Why do I need a dental down? A crown is frequently recommended when a tooth has been cracked, chipped, misshaped, or has a large cavity.

Will my crown match my other teeth? Some of us hear the word “dental crown”, and we immediately think of a silver crown. This is not always the case, with having several materials to choose from your dentist will select that material that fits your specific needs. For example, some of the materials are tooth color, and some are gold or silver in color. Crowns made in gold or silver material are usually proposed for posterior, or back teeth, as they will not show in your smile as easily. Crowns placed in areas that show when you smile are usually shade matched to the neighboring teeth. This means your dentist will match the color of the crown material to the teeth to the left and right.

What should I expect when getting a dental crown? In preparation for a dental crown, your dentist will remove the damaged portion of the tooth, and in some cases add a filling like material to build the tooth up before placing your temporary crown. After a few days or weeks your final crown will be ready, and you will come back to your dentist to have your final dental crown cemented in place. You will still need to visit your dentist for regular maintenance (to ensure the health of the tooth).