A crown is essentially a 'cap' for a tooth that is decayed, broken, or cracked to the point that it cannot be restored with a filling. Crowns can be made from a variety of materials including metal, porcelain, and zirconia. When selecting the material for your crown, Dr. Carter will consider the tooth's location, function, and how much natural tooth is remaining. At the initial appointment, any decay will be removed and the tooth will be shaped and prepped for a crown. An impression for the crown will be taken and sent to our lab to be made, meanwhile a temporary crown will be placed on the tooth. The permanent crown will be placed at a second appointment.