A dentist might recommend placing a dental to restore a tooth to its original shape, to strengthen a tooth or to improve the cosmetic appearance of a tooth.

Crowns are used for dental restoration, which fully cover the portion of a tooth that lies above the gum line. Fillings on the other hand are dental restorations that fill in or cover over just a portion of a tooth. Since dental crownsencase the entire visible portion of a tooth, a dental crown becomes the tooth’s new outer surface.

Crowns or dental caps are made out of porcelain, metal (a gold or other metal alloy), or a combination of both.  A dental crown is fabricated using an
indirect procedure. The tooth is modified and prepared by using special instruments and a copy ofthe tooth preparationis made by taking an
impression. The crown is then “permanently” cemented onto your tooth preparation. This procedure will encompass one to two appointments.

Actually, getting your teeth “crowned” improves not only their cosmetic appearance but in addition serves in restoring the tooth to its original shape
(repairing a broken tooth) or strengthening a tooth (covering over a tooth that has a very large filling).

In fact, a dental crown probably should not be used as a means to improve the aesthetic appearance of a tooth. Other alternative dental treatments can achieve the aesthetics without grinding a significant portion of a tooth away when a dental crown is made. If your objective is to improve the tooth’s appearance, it is usually best to consider porcelain veneer, dental bonding, or even just teeth whitening.

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