Crowns are like hard, protective “jackets” designed to slip over your tooth to fill in gaps and correct other types of defects while protecting the tooth from decay. Crowns may be made of metal, porcelain, resin or compounds of more than one material that's strong enough to withstand the pressures of regular chewing and biting.

Dental crowns are commonly used to correct cracks, chips, and broken teeth, providing them with a string shield against further damage and decay. They're also commonly used to strengthen and preserve teeth with large fillings, to strengthen a tooth following a root canal and to provide a firm footing for dental bridges.

Crown placement usually requires two visits. During the first visit, your tooth will be shaped so it's ready to accept the added material of the new permanent crown and you'll be fitted with a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready. During the second visit, the temporary crown will be removed and the permanent crown will be bonded in place using a special adhesive.

Your crown can be cared for just like your natural teeth, with regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits to ensure the crown, tooth and gums are in the best shape possible. In some cases and depending on the location of your crown, you might want to avoid eating extremely sticky foods which might dislodge a crown over time.