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Crowns and Bridges:
What is a Crown (Cap)?
Crowns are a type of dental restoration which, when cemented into place, fully cover the portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line. In comparison, fillings are dental restorations that fill in or cover over just a portion of a tooth. Since dental crowns encase the entire visible aspect of a tooth, a dental crown in effect becomes the tooth's new outer surface. It holds the tooth and protects it from fracture and functions as a normal tooth in the mouth
After your root canal procedure is completed, the next step is to place a permanent filling in the tooth which is called a “core”. You may or may not need a “post” in the tooth, which is a small pin that is placed for durability and strength.
A tooth that has had a root canal is a weaker, more brittle tooth. It can break and fracture easier than any other tooth in the mouth. Because of this it is very important to also place a crown (cap) on the tooth to make it a stronger tooth that can function normally in the mouth and can serve you for a long time.
Why do I need a crown?
You may need a crown on a tooth for a number of reasons. Here are a few conditions in which a crown may need to be placed:
- the tooth has had root canal therapy
- broken or chipped tooth
- large fillings
- esthetics (to make a front tooth look nice and also strong at the same time)