INTRODUCTION
Chipped or fractured teeth, broken down fillings, teeth that are malformed, malpositioned or discolored: any and all of these conditions can affect your smile.

Fortunately, a crown can easily restore its royal appearance.

Crowns, or "caps," are coverings that fit over your teeth. Their purpose is to restore each tooth to its normal shape and size, while both strengthening and improving its appearance.

Natural-looking porcelain attached to a durable metal shell is the most common material used to create a crown because of its strength. However, a crown could also be made of gold alloys or non-precious alloys, ceramic, acrylic or composite resin, or any combination of these.

Tooth location, the position of the gum tissue, the amount of tooth that shows when you smile, the color and shade of the tooth, and the function of the tooth are all taken into consideration when choosing which material to use.

A crown is placed for a number of reasons:

• To restore fractured teeth.
  
• To protect weak teeth from fracturing.
  
• To support a large filling when there isn't enough tooth remaining (the tooth structure becomes weakened and can no longer support the filling).
  
• To conceal badly shaped or discolored teeth.
  
• To strengthen teeth following a root canal (teeth tend to become brittle and are more apt to fracture).
  
• To disguise extensive damage caused by decay.
  
• To attach a bridge.
  
• To cover a dental implant.