For small cavities in front teeth, your dentist may place a tooth-colored filling after a root canal. Usually, though, your tooth will need a crown. The crown is created in a dental laboratory. It is made of porcelain, metal or a combination of the two.

First, your dentist will have to build up a foundation to strengthen the tooth and support the crown. This buildup is called a core. To help hold the core in place, your dentist may have to use a post. A post is a metal rod.

There are two ways to put a post and core in a tooth. The post can be pre-made and used with a core material that is built up around it. Or, the post and core can be custom-made in one piece to fit your tooth. This second type often is used in front teeth. It takes two dental visits. During the first visit, your dentist prepares the tooth and takes an impression so the post and core can be made. During the second visit, your dentist cements the post and core to the tooth.

Finally, a crown is made and cemented onto the tooth. If a post and core have been placed in the tooth, the crown is then cemented over the post and core.