What Is a Dental Crown Used For?

In this video, Dr. Ruedi Tillmann explains the purpose of dental crowns and how they protect and enhance damaged teeth. Patients from Ogden and Greater Salt Lake City can visit our Kaysville office to schedule a free consultation and find out if a dental crown is right for them.

Patients often wonder about dental crowns and how we use them in dentistry. A crown is essentially a protective cap that covers a natural tooth to restore its shape, strength, and functionality. Your natural tooth, what you see when you look in the mirror, is referred to as the “clinical crown.” When that natural crown is damaged—whether due to decay, a large filling, or a break—a dental crown is placed over the tooth to reinforce it.

A crown completely encases the visible portion of the tooth above the gumline, providing the strength needed for everyday functions like chewing. For instance, if your tooth is cracked or weakened by extensive fillings, a crown can save and protect the remaining structure, ensuring the tooth remains functional and intact. Without a crown, the tooth would be at risk of further damage, eventually leading to its loss.

If a tooth is too damaged to support a crown—like a tree stump that can no longer hold weight—we place an implant to replace the missing structure. The implant acts as a new root, and a crown is secured on top of it. In many cases, if you come in with a broken tooth, we can place a mini implant the same day and attach a temporary crown. After the tissue heals over several months, we replace the temporary crown with a permanent one, restoring your tooth to full function and aesthetics.

Crowns are crucial for teeth that have been weakened or broken down, as they provide the support and strength needed to chew foods like nuts and other hard items. Without this reinforcement, the tooth would likely fail, leading to its loss. A crown not only preserves the tooth but also enhances your ability to eat comfortably and confidently.