If your tooth is damaged but not lost, a crown (also called a cap) can be used to restore its shape, appearance and function. A crown is a hollow artificial tooth that is placed on an individual tooth (somewhat like a thimble over you finger) when there is no longer sufficient tooth structure to support a filling and or when a tooth has been treated with a root canal. A crown restores the tooth and protects your tooth from further damage. A tooth that has been fixed with a crown looks and works very much like a natural tooth.
The process of making a crown includes a number of steps, beginning with preparing and taking impressions of the tooth/teeth involved. A temporary crown is then placed on your teeth. Meanwhile, the impressions are sent to the lab where this mold of your teeth is poured and the work begins. The completed work is sent back to Dr. Steffens; after inspection and any necessary adjustments, she will cement the crown onto your tooth.