A Crown or cap fits over the tooth to strengthen & protect it.

The tooth usually needs to be reduced slightly in height & circumference to accommodate the crown. Often much of this tooth structure has already been lost due to previous decay, filling or fracture.

What type of Crown can I have?

Crowns can either be tooth coloured - Porcelain or Porcelain fused to Gold - or Gold in colour. It is rare that a tooth coloured crown can't be used. It leaves your tooth looking like a tooth!

A Crown is indicated for a tooth where at least one of the following occurs:

• A back tooth has had the nerve removed from it and needs strengthening to prevent fracture.
  
  
• The existing filling in the tooth is so large that the tooth has been weakened and is susceptible to fracture.
  
  
• To repair the tooth after fracture.
  
  
• To prevent fracture of a tooth exhibiting cracking.

If I have a Crown will my tooth last forever?

The best tooth you have ever had is usually the undecayed, unfilled tooth God gave you!

However Crowning the tooth will either make it as strong as, if not stronger than the original tooth.

Placing a crown on the tooth will give you the best chance of retaining the tooth long term.

What problems can I have after the Crown.

Unless the teeth are kept clean it is possible for the tooth to decay at the junction of the crown & the tooth.

A tooth requiring crowning has usually suffered numerous insults as a result of decay, previous large fillings &/or fracture. As a result of this, the nerve in the tooth may be unhealthy but as yet free of symptoms. Thus occasionally the tooth's nerve may die after the crown has been placed, necessitating a nerve treatment.

This can be completed without removing the crown and the tooth retained.

Can my Crown come off?

This is a most unusual occurrence, particularly now that most crowns are bonded in place rather than cemented. Usually the crown can be recemented without great trouble.
It is often wise to avoid chewing things like Minties, toffies and the like when you have ether crowns or large fillings.

In summary

As recommended, crowning your tooth will give you the best chance of retaining the tooth long term. Without a crown there is a much greater chance of fracture, nerve death or failure of the filling.

While crowning the tooth may not be the least expensive option for filling the tooth, in the long run it may be the cheapest way to ensure you keep the tooth by avoiding more complicated and expensive treatment later on..

It is your tooth! It is your decision!