Remember the last time you went to see your dentist? Many of you were told that you may need a crown for your teeth. You were told. But you are not sure exactly what the crown is. So here are the most frequently asked questions about crowns.

What does a crown do?

A crown is simply a restoration that is designed to cover over your tooth. A crown is like a helmet to protect your teeth.

When do I need a crown?

A dentist recommends a crown if a tooth has root canal treatment done (for a back tooth), a large filling in the middle of the tooth or fractured or cracked tooth.

Does a crown last permanently?

A crown does not last forever. It has different life span depending on the tooth structure that it protects. The more intact the tooth structure remains, the longer it may last. Recent studies show that about 90 percent of crowns can last 7 to 10 years. (That also means 10 percent of them do not.)

Do I really have to have a crown?

No. You do not have to have a crown. Most of the dental treatments are elective treatments and a crown is one of them. If you are concerned of the integrity of tooth structure and want to get the most years out of it, a crown can help you. For some people, it is important to have their teeth as long as possible. For other people, they are comfortable with potentially losing teeth sooner and living with missing teeth or wearing a denture. (Don’t worry, it is not the end of the world because now we can use an implant to replace your missing teeth though it is more expensive.)