What is a Crown? A crown is the part of the tooth that you can see above the gums. If a dentist tells you 'Your tooth needs a crown' he is telling you is that your natural crown has broken or has been weakened and therefore a laboratory made or CEREC (one-visit ) made crown or cover will be needed to restore your tooth. It may have been weakened by a fracture or crack in the tooth, an overly large silver filling, or having root canal therapy. Most crowns we make are made of either solid porcelain or a metal ( gold alloy) . Repairing your tooth with a porcelain crown will usually take one or two appointments. At the first appointment your dentist will numb the area and prepare the tooth by removing 1.5-2 millimeters of the natural crown away until the weakened portion of the tooth is removed and solid tooth structure remains making sure there is sufficient space for a porcelain crown to fit over the tooth. This procedure requires a great deal of skill and precision to ensure a successful result. The porcelain crown must fit perfectly to prevent further decay and gum disease. This crown will also restore the patients bite, prevent shifting of the teeth and must look good. After the preparation is completed, an impression of the area is taken to be sent to the laboratory. At the laboratory the lab technician will fabricate a crown to the dentist's specifications. The dentist will then place a 'temporary crown' on the tooth to protect the preparation, allow you to function on the tooth, keep the adjacent and opposing teeth from moving and allow you to smile while your porcelain crown is being fabricated. At the second appointment, the crown is bonded or cemented to your natural tooth. Your new crown should look natural and feel comfortable in your mouth. It is vital that you take care of the crowned tooth. The margins are areas that are susceptible to decay and must be kept clean. If you take care of your crowns they can last 5 to 15 years or even longer. Crowns are not used as frequently in cosmetic dentistry as they once were because of more conservative procedures like porcelain onlays, veneers, bonding, and bleaching. However, if your front teeth have been severely damaged by decay or have large fillings in them or perhaps they are rotated or crooked and require the extra strength that a crown could provide you may be a candidate for a crown. Dentists who have experience in cosmetic dentistry understand the benefits of using the most conservative treatment possible to achieve the desired results and can advise you of the benefits of each.