A tooth crown is a dental restoration process that involves placing a “tooth cap” over a damaged tooth, over and above the gum line. It allows a dentist to encase visible areas of the tooth, and eventually serves as the new outer surface of the tooth.
Unlike dentures that are removable, tooth crowns are fixed prosthetic devices that are cemented onto existing teeth or implants by dentists. These cannot be manually removed or taken out.
When are tooth crowns recommended?
Tooth crowns can be recommended by a dentist due to various reasons:
- To hold together parts of a cracked tooth or protect a weak one from further fracturing
- To protect a worn-out weak tooth from further decaying
- To support an already-filled tooth where there isn’t enough tooth remaining
- To cover a dental implant
- To cover a discoloured tooth or poorly shaped tooth
- To protect a tooth that has undergone a root canal treatment
- For cosmetic reasons
