Because a dead tooth can become brittle, the dentist may use a crown to strengthen and support it after the root canal treatment. A crown cannot replace the original tooth structure, but it can make your tooth look more attractive by covering any defects or gaps that may be present due to decay or injury. The dentist will usually recommend a crown if there is extensive damage to the tooth caused by decay or trauma that could lead to loss of the tooth. Crowns are made from materials such as ceramic or metal and they are attached to the remaining portion of the tooth using dental cement. When selecting a crown material, consider the appearance and lifestyle of you and your family. For example, if you live in a very hot environment, a metal crown might rust over time while a porcelain crown would likely remain white. Dead teeth can cause problems when eating hard foods such as nuts and popcorn because you might not be able to remove all the debris that has accumulated under the crown. In addition, bacteria found around the mouth can grow into infections that spread to other parts of the body if you aren't careful about cleaning your teeth after meals.