When decay or damage to the surface of a tooth becomes significant, the tooth can be reduced and a custom-made tooth bonded to its surface. This artificial tooth is called a "crown." Crowns are also often used to anchor bridges — structures that replace missing teeth.
Crowns are most commonly made from all porcelain or of porcelain bonded to metal (usually gold). Crowns are fashioned in a dental laboratory by trained technicians to provide the same strength and appearance as a healthy tooth.
When damage to the tooth extends to the foundation (root) of the tooth and is too large to restore, a bridge or dental implant may be a better solution. We will discuss your options for restorations with you after an initial examination.
Procedure
First, your dentist will remove any decay and place a build-up filling which is designed to serve as a strong and stable foundation for your crown. Your tooth will then be shaped to receive a crown. The crown must be thick enough to withstand chewing, which means that the natural tooth below the crown must be reduced.
He or she will then take an impression of your tooth and note how your teeth fit together. You will then be fitted with a temporary crown while the permanent one is constructed in a dental lab. Certified dental technicians are able to make crowns that fit perfectly with your bite, and look like natural teeth. They will match the color of the crown to your own natural tooth color.
On a second visit, your temporary crown will be taken off and the fit of the new crown carefully checked. The final crown is then cemented in place, restoring the tooth to its natural strength, appearance and function.