Absolutely. While crowns are often recommended after a root canal to protect a weakened tooth, there are many other reasons one might need a crown without undergoing root canal therapy. A crown is essentially a protective cap that provides strength and improves appearance. The internal health of your tooth determines whether a root canal is needed.
If a tooth is heavily broken down and the amount of filling material is greater than the remaining tooth structure, a crown is recommended. In this case, it is a preventative treatment to avoid further breakage of the tooth and, in many cases, avoid a root canal.