Dental crowns that look and feel like your own tooth.

A crown is a custom “cap” that completely covers the visible part of a tooth — replacing the chewing surface and the sides while leaving the natural root in place. We use crowns to protect teeth weakened by large fillings, fractured cusps, root canal treatment, or significant wear.

Modern crowns are usually all-porcelain or zirconia. Both materials are tooth-colored, strong enough for back-tooth chewing forces, and look essentially identical to natural enamel. Older porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are still used in some cases, but the metal substructure can show as a dark line at the gum line over time, so we choose all-ceramic when we can.

The process usually takes two visits. At the first, we shape the tooth, take a digital scan, and place a temporary crown. The lab fabricates the permanent crown in about two weeks; at the second visit, we cement it and check the bite. With normal wear, a well-made crown lasts ten to fifteen years or longer.

If you’ve had a root canal, a crown is almost always the right next step — without it, the tooth is much more likely to crack.