Signs You May Need a Dental Crown: A Patient Checklist

A dental crown is a cap that covers the full visible portion of a tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and function. Dentists typically discuss crowns when a tooth has lost enough structure that a filling can no longer provide adequate support, or when a crack or fracture threatens the integrity of what remains. The decision to recommend one is not made from a single observation. It comes from a clinical picture that includes how much tooth is left, where the damage sits, how the tooth responds to function, and what the tooth's history tells you about its long-term outlook.