Dental crown works like a cap which is tooth-shaped and is placed over the teeth. It covers the teeth and restores its shape, strength, size and moreover improves one's appearance. Crown is cemented over the gum line and it covers the whole teeth making it completely invisible.

Dental crowns have many uses such as:-

• To safeguard weak teeth from breaking

• To hold the parts of cracked /chipped tooth

• To support and cover the teeth which have a lot of filling and the teeth is hardly left.

• To keep the dental bridges in place

• To cover discoloured/ badly shaped teeth

• To restore a broken tooth/ worn-down tooth

• Crown covers a dental implant

Crowns are available in different materials such as:-

• METALS In case of metal crowns fewer teeth is reduced, and reduction of adjacent teeth is minimum. Such crowns are very strong and do withstand chewing and biting pressure. Metal crowns do not crack or break. An alloy of gold, palladium, nickel is used in case of metal crowns. The only drawback of metal crowns is the colour. These crowns are best suited for out of sight teeth/molars.

• FUSION OF PORCELAIN AND METALThese crowns can match the colour of the teeth. As compared to metal crowns, more wearing of teeth is required. The porcelain may break /crack. But such crowns look like natural teeth. Sometimes the metal placed under the crown is visible at the gum line, hence these crowns are suitable for back/ front teeth.

• ALL RESINThese crowns are not so expensive but there are chances of wearing down over time.

• ALL PORCELAIN/CERAMICThese crowns are best for the front teeth and suitable for people who are allergic to metal. Though not so strong matches the colour of the natural teeth.

• TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT CROWNSTemporary crowns are made in the dental clinic whereas the permanent crowns are specially made on orders in the laboratory. The material used for temporary crowns is stainless steel or acrylic. Temporary crowns can be used till the time the permanent crown is ready.

Dental crowns have a life of say 5 -15 years. One has to take extra care of the crown. Biting nails, opening packets, chewing hard things etc. are a few habits which have to be corrected. Moreover brushing teeth twice a day is a must and floss at least one time in a day.

• Teeth may be sensitive to hot/cold after the effect of anaesthesia is over.

• There can be irregular bites which result in pain. Such a problem occurs when the crown is placed too low/high.

• Sometimes the cement under the crown gets washed away and the crown becomes loose.

Hence proper care should be taken and regular dental checkups are required to maintain a healthy dental structure.