Crowns, or caps, are tooth-shaped covers applied to damaged, decayed or badly stained teeth.
They can be used aesthetically to cover a discoloured or poorly shaped tooth. They can also be used to reconstruct or restore a fractured tooth, and protect weak teeth from fracturing. Crowns are often used to protect teeth that have had root canal treatment.
Options include porcelain fused to metal (PFM), ceramic, or full metal (gold alloy, other alloys, or a base-metal alloy). PFM or full-metal crowns are usually recommended for back teeth as they are stronger than ceramic crowns.