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Crowns are a type of dental restoration which, when cemented into place, fully cup over the portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line. Since dental crowns encase the entire visible portion of a tooth, a dental crown in effect becomes the tooth's new outer surface. Crowns can be made out of porcelain, metal, or a combination of both. Dental crowns are used for a variety of reasons. They can restore a tooth to its original shape, strengthen a tooth or improve the cosmetic appearance of a tooth.