A crown is a type of dental restoration used to fix teeth that have been broken, weakened by decay or have a very large filling. The crown fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth.
It will also be tooth coloured, giving the restoration a more natural appearance so it fits in with the rest of your teeth. If you have had root canal treatment you will need a crown to protect or cap the restored tooth, allowing you to eat and bite down on it as if it was a real tooth.
Crowns are also used to anchor a bridge or denture firmly in place in the mouth.