No matter how careful you are about brushing and flossing, you may still experience some tooth decay. Having these cavities dealt with quickly is important to containing the problem and preventing you from experiencing complications like pain, swelling and difficulty chewing. Although fillings are a common solution for some types of tooth decay, other cases will require a more aggressive treatment in the form of a dental crown.

What is a crown?

When you get a filling, the dentist drills away the decayed portion of the tooth and fills in the hole. A crown takes this process one step further by covering the tooth. The crown works to strengthen the tooth and protect it from breaking, which is particularly important after it’s been weakened by decay.

Crowns are made from a variety of materials including metal and porcelain, and each material has benefits that lend it to being used in certain situations. Most metal crowns are made of gold, palladium or base metal alloys. Before applying the crown, the dentist will generally need to file down or shape the tooth. A strong adhesive is then applied to keep the crown in place.

When do I need a crown?

1. When your tooth is broken or cracked
2. When the decay extends to three or more sides of the tooth
3. When you have a large filling
4. When a filing is worn out from time

In situations where a substantial amount of decay is present or the tooth is fractured, a crown is the best treatment. This will protect the existing tooth and help to prevent you from requiring an extraction or root canal.

If you have already had a root canal, a crown will be necessary for that tooth. The root canal procedure leaves your tooth very vulnerable and brittle. The Crown will protect it from further damage and prevent it from breaking.

How much will it cost?

Crowns in general come in one of three varieties:

• All metal
• All porcelain
• Metal base with porcelain top