A tooth crown, commonly called a cap, is a custom-made covering placed over a damaged, weak, or treated tooth. It restores the tooth’s shape, strength, appearance, and function. Crowns are an essential part of modern dentistry and are widely used after root canal treatment, for cracked teeth, for cosmetic correction, and to replace missing teeth with implants.
In this blog, we break down what a crown is, types of crowns, metal vs metal-ceramic vs all-ceramic caps, and how to choose the best one for your case.
A tooth crown is an artificial restoration that completely covers the visible part of a tooth. It acts like a helmet that protects the remaining tooth structure.
You may need a crown when:
Crowns help restore chewing efficiency, prevent fractures, and improve smile aesthetics.
There are three major categories you can explain to patients:
These are made of stainless steel, nickel-chromium, cobalt-chromium, or sometimes gold alloys.
Back molars, patients with heavy grinding habits, or those wanting a budget-friendly option.
These crowns have a metal base inside and a tooth-colored ceramic layer outside. They combine strength with good looks.
Front and back teeth, patients wanting strength + good aesthetics.
These are made entirely of ceramic with no metal inside. New-age materials like Zirconia and E.max (lithium disilicate) offer exceptional beauty and strength.
Front teeth, smile makeovers, and patients demanding top-level aesthetics.
