Terminology used in dentistry is not 100% uniform throughout our profession. The word “cap” as used in dentistry by different dentists can refer to a number of different things. A pulp cap refers to a calcium-containing dressing placed under a deep filling to stimulate healing. A full crown, made by a dental laboratory, which completely covers the outside of your tooth, is frequently called a cap. A partly broken tooth may be built up by your dentist in the office with a bonded filling material. This is called a cap or “capping” by some dentists. This sounds like what you probably had done.