A crown is a custom cap that covers and protects a tooth. Knowing when one is truly needed helps you feel confident about the recommendation.
Protecting a Weakened Tooth
When a tooth has a large filling, a deep crack, or has lost a lot of structure to decay, it becomes more likely to fracture under normal chewing. A crown wraps around the whole tooth, holding it together and spreading the force of your bite.
This is often the difference between saving a tooth and losing it. By reinforcing what remains, a crown lets you keep your natural tooth rather than moving toward removal and replacement.
After a Root Canal
A tooth that has had a root canal is often more brittle afterward, especially a back tooth that does heavy chewing. A crown is commonly recommended to protect it from cracking.
Placing a crown at the right time helps that treated tooth last for years. Your dentist will advise whether and when a crown is needed based on which tooth is involved.
Restoring Shape and Function
Crowns also restore teeth that are badly worn, broken, or misshapen so you can bite and chew comfortably again. Because they are custom‑made, they can rebuild a tooth to its proper size and contour.
At Cambie Dental we only recommend a crown when it is the right tool for the job. If a simpler repair like a filling will do, we will tell you.
