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A crown is a cover or âcapâ your dentist can put on a tooth. The crown restores the tooth to its normal shape, size and function. The purpose of a crown is to make the tooth stronger or improve the way it looks. You may need a crown if you:
1 The dentist chooses the best material for a crown depending on the type, location and condition of the tooth. 2  Metal crowns are typically used on out-of-sight back molars; all-porcelain crowns are typically placed on front teeth; and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns can be used on front or back teeth.