When a tooth has had a very large cavity or silver filling or is cracked, a crown can save the tooth. For many adults, the most common dental problem they experience is teeth that crack and the only way to stop the crack from splitting the tooth is to place a crown.  When a patient comes in for a crown , impressions are taken and the tooth is shaped.  Any decay and old filling material that is present is removed at this point. Once the tooth is completely shaped for the new crown, a digital scanner is used to create a 3D image of the tooth to be sent to the lab. A temporary crown is placed while the dental laboratory creates a custom fitted crown.  Once the new crown is placed, it stops the tooth from further cracking.  The sooner that a cracked tooth is fixed, the less likely it is that the tooth will break or have nerve damage.  If you have silver fillings or have not had your teeth checked for cracks with an intra-oral camera we would recommend you do so sooner than later.