Dental crowns in Vancouver.

A crown is a custom restoration that covers a prepared tooth. It can restore shape and function or help protect weakened structure. A crown may also form the visible tooth on an implant. A dental cap is another name for a crown. A crown covers the prepared tooth. An onlay covers selected chewing surfaces or cusps. The decision is about which parts need protection and how much sound tooth can be preserved, not just how large the filling looks.

A large area of damage, a fracture or limited remaining tooth structure may make a crown worth considering. A smaller repair may need only a filling. We assess the individual tooth rather than choose by the size of an old filling alone. We look for thin or undermined walls, a cracked cusp, repeated restoration failure and heavy bite forces. Two teeth with similar-looking fillings can need different treatment because the remaining structure is different.

We assess the tooth, discuss the material and prepare the tooth for the crown. A scan or impression records its shape, and a temporary crown may protect it between visits. Before fitting the final crown, we check the fit, neighbouring contacts and bite. You receive care instructions for any temporary restoration and the finished crown.

Options can include ceramics, zirconia, metal or combinations of materials. Appearance, available space, tooth position and chewing forces influence selection. We explain the material proposed for your tooth and any relevant trade-offs; no material is the best choice for every situation. Material selection balances appearance, thickness, strength and the opposing teeth. A material that works well in one position is not automatically the best choice for every tooth.

No. The restoration is selected according to the tooth’s remaining structure and functional needs. Discuss the final restoration as part of the root canal plan. A recommendation should explain why additional coverage is helpful in your particular case. Root canal treatment is one consideration, but not the only one. We also assess which tooth it is, how much tissue remains and whether the existing restoration already protects the chewing cusps.

Crown preparation removes tooth structure and is irreversible. Possible problems include sensitivity, bite discomfort, chipping, loosening or decay around the margin. A root canal or replacement crown may be needed later. Where suitable, a filling or onlay may preserve more tooth structure.

Research shows that many dental crowns remain functional for years; metal-ceramic crowns have published five-year survival estimates of about 95%. This is not a fixed lifespan or a guarantee of maintenance-free care. The tooth underneath, the fit, bite forces, cleaning and future decay all affect longevity.

Contact us and avoid chewing on the affected tooth. Keep a detached crown to bring to the appointment and do not use household glue. Persistent pain or swelling needs assessment; replacing the crown is not always the only treatment needed. Keep a detached crown and bring it with you. Avoid household glue. A loose crown, a fracture underneath it and a high bite need different solutions, so the cause matters before it is simply recemented.