Dental crowns (tooth caps): when you need one and which material

A dental crown — often called a tooth cap — covers the whole visible part of a tooth. It protects a weak tooth from breaking and gives it back its shape and colour.

When do you need a crown?

• After a root canal on a back tooth, which becomes more brittle.
• When a large filling leaves too little natural tooth.
• For a cracked or broken tooth.
• On top of a dental implant.
• To change the shape or colour of a badly discoloured tooth.

Which material?

• Zirconia — very strong, metal-free, good for back teeth and bridges.
• E.max porcelain — the most natural translucency for front teeth.
• Metal-ceramic — reliable and economical, but a grey line can show at the gum over time.

The procedure

1. The tooth is numbed and shaped; decay is removed.
2. An impression or digital scan is taken (see digital dentistry).
3. A temporary crown protects the tooth for a few days.
4. The final crown is checked for colour and bite, then cemented.

Making it last

A crown cannot decay, but the tooth under it can, especially at the gum line. Brush twice a day, floss, and keep regular check-ups and cleaning. Do not open bottles or crack hard shells with your teeth. Well-cared-for crowns often last 10–15 years or longer.

Not sure whether you need a filling or a crown? Read the stages of tooth decay, then book an examination at DR. ELAF Dental Clinic, Erbil.