Crown FAQ

What does a crown do?

A crown is simply a restoration that is designed to cover over your tooth. A crown is like a helmet to protect your teeth.

When do I need a crown?

A dentist recommends a crown if a tooth has
•    Root canal treatment done (for a back tooth)
•    A large filling in the middle of the tooth.
•    Fractured or cracked tooth

Does a crown last permanently?

A crown does not last forever. It has different life span depending on the tooth structure that it tries to protect. The more intact tooth structure remains, the longer it may last. Recent studies show that about 90 percent of crowns can last 7 to 10 years. (That also means 10 percent of them do not.)

Do I really have to have a crown?

No. You do not have to have a crown. Most of the dental treatments are elective treatments and a crown is one of them. If you are concerned of the integrity of tooth structure and want to get the most years out of it, a crown can help you. For some people, it is important to have their teeth as long as possible. For some people, they are comfortable with potentially losing teeth sooner and with living with missing teeth or wearing a denture. (Don’t worry, it is not the end of the world because now we can use implant to replace your missing teeth though more expensive.)