A crown or cap, is a hollow artificial tooth used to cover a damaged or decayed tooth. Crowns are also indicated for root canal treated teeth, a large filling or a broken tooth since it restores the tooth and protects it from further damage.
Crowns can also be used to cover a discoloured or odd-shaped tooth. A tooth that has been fixed with a crown looks and works very much like a natural tooth.
Historically, dental crowns always needed to be made with a metal foundation. A metal crown, covered in porcelain. But in certain light, this can make the tooth look dull and lifeless.
An alternative is for the crown to be made of solid porcelain, ceramic or aesthetic reinforced resins. This will give a more natural look to the tooth.