A dental crown is a custom cap that covers a tooth above the gum. It restores the shape of a tooth that is cracked, worn, heavily filled, or weakened after a large cavity. The crown is made outside the mouth, then fitted and attached to the prepared tooth.
When a crown is considered
- A crack or break that a filling cannot hold together
- A large filling that leaves too little natural tooth
- Wear that has shortened or flattened the tooth
- A tooth that has had a root canal and needs coverage
- A tooth that is the support for a bridge, which is a different service from a single crown
A crown is not the default for every cavity. A smaller defect is often repaired with a filling. The exam and an X-ray show how much healthy tooth is left and whether the nerve inside the tooth is involved.
Which teeth this program covers
The $799 program is for an eligible single tooth that can take a strong, tooth-colored ceramic crown. Wisdom teeth and second molars are not included. Implant crowns are not included. A case that is mainly about smile design, or that needs an esthetic E.max crown, is a different visit and a different fee.
The dentist can also decline treatment when the remaining tooth has a poor outlook. That decision is made at the exam, not from a photo or a form.