A dental crown is a custom-made cap that fits over a damaged tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and appearance. Whether you have a cracked tooth, large cavity, or need protection after a root canal — a crown can save your tooth and restore your smile.
A dental crown — sometimes called a "cap" — is a tooth-shaped covering that is cemented over a damaged tooth to restore its size, shape, strength, and appearance. Once placed, a crown fully encases the visible portion of the tooth above the gumline, essentially becoming the tooth's new outer surface.
At The Port Dental Clinic, we primarily use porcelain (ceramic) crowns that are custom-matched to the colour, translucency, and shape of your natural teeth. The result is a restoration that looks and feels indistinguishable from the real thing — no one will know it's there.
Crowns are one of the most versatile restorations in modern dentistry, used to solve a wide range of structural and cosmetic problems. They protect weakened teeth from further damage, restore broken teeth to full function, and can dramatically improve the appearance of misshapen or severely discoloured teeth.
A crown may be recommended when a tooth is too damaged for a regular filling to repair. Here are the most common situations:
After a root canal — a crown protects and strengthens the treated tooth, which becomes more brittle without its inner pulp. Learn about root canals.
Cracked or fractured teeth — a crown holds the pieces together and prevents the crack from spreading deeper.
Large cavities — when too much tooth structure is lost for a filling to be effective, a crown provides full coverage.
Worn-down teeth — from grinding (bruxism) or excessive wear over time. Consider a night guard to protect the crown.
Cosmetic improvement — covering severely discoloured, misshapen, or undersized teeth that don't respond to whitening.
Supporting a dental bridge or implant — crowns serve as anchor points for bridges or to cap a dental implant.
The crown process typically requires two visits to our Calgary NE clinic, spaced about 2-3 weeks apart. Here's what happens at each:
We examine the tooth, take digital X-rays, and numb the area. The tooth is then reshaped by removing a thin layer of enamel to make room for the crown. If extensive decay or damage exists, we may need to build up the tooth core first.
We take precise digital impressions of your prepared tooth and surrounding teeth. These are sent to the dental lab where your custom crown is crafted. You'll wear a temporary crown to protect the tooth in the meantime.
At your follow-up visit, we remove the temporary crown and try in the permanent one. We check the colour match, fit, and bite alignment — making any fine adjustments needed. Once everything is right, the crown is permanently cemented.
We'll recommend the material that works for your specific tooth based on location, bite forces, and cosmetic goals.
The most popular choice for visible teeth. Porcelain crowns are colour-matched to look identical to natural teeth. They're durable, biocompatible, and blend seamlessly with your smile.
Combines the strength of a metal core with a porcelain exterior for a natural appearance. A good option for back teeth where higher bite forces are common.
Extremely strong and aesthetically pleasing. Zirconia crowns resist chipping and fracture while providing a natural translucency. Suitable for both front and back teeth.
"I had an amazing experience at the Port Dental with Doctor Balbir Sandhu in the procedure of my wisdom tooth extraction. I was very nervous and worried before the surgery but the doctor made me feel comfortable, did all the process very smoothly and with no pain."
"I recently visited Port Dental and was blown away by the exceptional care and professionalism of the entire team! Dr. Sandhu is an outstanding dentist who takes the time to explain everything and puts you at ease. Highly recommend for your dental care."
"I had the best experience in my cleaning — Robin did it so well and I didn't feel any discomfort or pain. You can tell they aren't trying to recommend things for money grabs — they give professional advice and prioritize what is best for clients needs!"
Book a consultation at The Port Dental Clinic. We'll evaluate your tooth and recommend the right crown solution — with no obligation and full cost transparency.
