Prosthodontics (Artificial teeth)

Crowns are a type of restoration where a tooth-shaped "cap" is placed over a tooth that is badly damaged or decayed. A crown is made to look and function like your tooth They may be placed for several reasons. Usually the tooth has been broken or damaged a great extent by decay, as a result, a filling cannot replace enough of the tooth or make the tooth sturdy enough for normal function. So in such situations, a crown is used to replace and prevent fracture of the tooth or dislodging of the filling/core. Crowns can be used to improve appearance as well. They may be placed to cover misshapen or badly discoloured teeth. 

A span of a few crowns can be used to hold a bridge in place. Bridges are fixed prostheses that span a short gap between teeth. Alternative means of closing a gap would be the use of removable partial dentures or with implant restorations. 

Crowns are made of a variety of materials. The most aesthetically pleasing crowns are full porcelain crowns, next are porcelain fused to metal crowns and full metal crowns.