What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a custom-made cap that fully covers a tooth that has been damaged, decayed, or weakened. The crown restores the tooth's shape, size, and strength while protecting what remains of the natural tooth underneath. It is cemented in place and becomes the visible outer surface of the tooth.

Crowns are typically needed after a large filling fails, when a tooth has suffered decay or trauma, after root canal treatment, or when a tooth has a crack or chip that cannot be repaired another way. A crown may also be placed on a tooth that has had significant wear or discoloration that cannot be fixed with bleaching or veneers.

Materials commonly used for crowns in Kuala Lumpur practices include ceramic (all-tooth-colored porcelain), zirconia (a strong white ceramic), and PFM (porcelain fused to metal, combining a metal base with a porcelain surface). Ceramic and zirconia crowns are favored for front teeth because they match natural tooth color. PFM crowns offer durability and are often used on back teeth. Your dentist will recommend a material based on the tooth location, your bite, and cosmetic preferences.

Getting a crown usually requires two or more visits: the first to prepare the tooth and take a mold, and a second to fit and cement the crown. You can find experienced providers through general dentistry services in your area.