By: Dr. Christopher Lim
Posted on: July 30, 2019
A dental crown is a restoration that works much like a cap to cover a tooth to either protect it or make it look better. Though crowns are sometimes still the best option for your teeth, they are no longer the only choice you have. Now, depending on the reason you might need a crown, you may be able to choose from a number of alternatives that could do the job just as well or even better.
One of the reasons someone might need a crown is that a tooth has been damaged by decay. In this case, a crown may be placed to protect the tooth from further decay or damage. Teeth that have multiple unsightly metal fillings may also seem to benefit from a crown that can be placed to make them more attractive. In these cases, another option is simply to replace metal fillings with tooth-colored fillings. Most dentists today consider tooth-colored fillings to be just as durable and effective as metal fillings, and they can keep your teeth looking completely natural. If this is the problem with your teeth, before removing enamel to place a crown, ask your dentist about tooth-colored fillings.