DevelopDent · Legazpi Village, Makati CBD
A dental crown encases the visible portion of a tooth to restore its shape, strength, and function when the remaining structure can no longer support normal biting forces reliably. At DevelopDent, crown selection — zirconia, emax, or PFM — is made on clinical grounds, with the tooth's position, function, and aesthetics all considered before a material is chosen.
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A crown — sometimes called a cap — is a fixed restoration that covers the entire clinical crown of a tooth from the gumline up. It is used when a tooth has been weakened, fractured, or significantly reduced in structure and requires full coverage to function reliably.
Unlike a filling or inlay that restores part of a tooth, a crown distributes biting forces across the entire restoration, protecting what remains of the natural tooth underneath. Crowns are typically recommended after root canal treatment, following large fractures, or when previous restorations have repeatedly failed.
This page is part of the Restorative Dentistry services at DevelopDent.
A crown is a functional decision, not a cosmetic default. Common clinical indications include:
Crown material selection is based on the tooth's position in the mouth, the biting forces it experiences, the aesthetic requirements, and the amount of natural tooth structure available for preparation. At DevelopDent, this decision is explained clearly at the treatment planning stage.
| Material | Best suited for | Key properties |
|---|---|---|
| Zirconia | Posterior teeth (premolars and molars) where strength is the priority | Extremely durable; tooth-coloured; fully opaque so best for heavy-function areas rather than highly aesthetic front teeth |
| Emax (lithium disilicate) | Anterior teeth and premolars where aesthetics and strength are both important | High translucency that mimics natural enamel closely; strong but not as fracture-resistant as zirconia under heavy posterior load |
| PFM (porcelain-fused-to-metal) | Cases where specific clinical factors favour it | Metal substructure with porcelain overlay; strong but the metal margin can show at the gumline over time |
| PFZ (porcelain-fused-to-zirconia) | Anterior teeth requiring good aesthetics with a zirconia core | Better translucency than full zirconia; the porcelain layer can chip under heavy occlusal load; suited for lower-stress areas |
The treating dentist will recommend a specific material based on your tooth's position, bite, and clinical situation — not on price alone.
An inlay or onlay is an indirect restoration made in a dental laboratory — like a crown — but covering less of the tooth. An inlay fits within the cusps of the tooth; an onlay extends over one or more cusps. Both are options when there is more damage than a filling can reliably address, but enough healthy tooth structure that a full crown would involve unnecessary removal of natural tooth.
At DevelopDent, inlays and onlays are available in emax and zirconia. The treating dentist will consider whether an inlay, onlay, or full crown is the most conservative appropriate option for your tooth — the goal is always to preserve as much natural structure as reliably possible.
Whether an inlay, onlay, or full crown is the right answer for your tooth is determined at examination. The fee is confirmed once the appropriate restoration and material have been chosen — before any preparation begins.
Crown placement typically involves two clinical appointments, with a laboratory fabrication period between them. The 3D intraoral scanner at DevelopDent is used for impressions — eliminating the need for traditional putty moulds.
The treating dentist assesses the tooth clinically and with targeted radiography to confirm the crown is the appropriate restoration. The material and design are selected. If root canal treatment is needed before the crown — a common sequence for heavily damaged teeth — this is planned and completed first.
Under local anaesthesia, the tooth is prepared — a precise amount of structure is removed from the outer surface to create space for the crown. The reduction is planned to the minimum required for the selected material. Where insufficient structure remains, a core buildup is placed to provide a stable foundation before preparation begins.
A digital scan of the prepared tooth and surrounding teeth is taken using the 3D intraoral scanner. This digital impression is sent to the laboratory for crown fabrication. A temporary crown is placed to protect the prepared tooth and maintain bite alignment during the laboratory period.
At the second appointment, the finished crown is trialled on the tooth. The fit, bite, and aesthetics are checked and adjusted as needed before the crown is permanently cemented. The bite is confirmed to be even and comfortable before the appointment is closed.
Crowns at DevelopDent are planned around the long-term function of the tooth, not only its appearance. Material selection — and the cost that follows from it — is part of the clinical conversation at consultation. After your consultation you receive a written treatment plan with itemised costs.
If you have already been quoted for a crown elsewhere and want an independent review of the diagnosis or material recommendation, a second opinion consultation is available at DevelopDent.
How long does a crown last?
With good oral hygiene and regular maintenance, a well-made crown can last ten to fifteen years or longer. The most common causes of early failure are decay forming at the crown margin, cement washout over time, or fracture under heavy biting forces. Zirconia and emax crowns are more durable under load than PFM crowns where the porcelain can chip.
Does every tooth that has had root canal treatment need a crown?
Most posterior teeth — premolars and molars — do. These teeth absorb the majority of biting force, and a root canal treated tooth is more brittle and susceptible to longitudinal fracture without full coverage. Front teeth with minimal remaining structure loss may sometimes be managed without a crown, but this is assessed case by case. The treating dentist will explain the reasoning for your specific tooth.
Can a crown be placed immediately after root canal treatment?
In most cases, a short interval between completing the root canal and beginning crown preparation is preferable — allowing any residual inflammation to settle and confirming the root canal has been successful clinically. The temporary restoration placed after root canal treatment protects the tooth during this period. The treating dentist will advise on the timing for your specific case.
Will the crown look natural?
Yes — zirconia and emax crowns are tooth-coloured and shade-matched to adjacent teeth. Emax in particular has a translucency that closely mimics natural enamel, making it well-suited for visible front teeth. The laboratory fabrication process allows for precise colour matching so the crown integrates naturally with your smile.
What happens if the crown falls off?
A crown that detaches — particularly a temporary crown — is a common occurrence and is not a dental emergency, but it should be addressed promptly. Keep the crown, avoid chewing on that side, and contact the clinic. If a permanent crown has fallen off, the prepared tooth underneath is vulnerable to sensitivity and damage — re-cementation or a new crown will be needed. Crown recementation for crowns not made at DevelopDent is also available at the clinic.
DevelopDent is located on the ground floor of Legaspi Tower 200 on Paseo de Roxas — a short distance from Greenbelt and accessible from Makati CBD, Salcedo Village, and BGC.
Directions and getting here →1st Floor, Legaspi Tower 200
107 Paseo de Roxas Street
Legazpi Village, Makati 1229
Whether you have been told you need a crown following root canal treatment, or your tooth has fractured and requires assessment, book a consultation at DevelopDent. The treating dentist will examine the tooth, explain the options, and outline an honest treatment plan before anything is scheduled.
