crowning

Crowning is a term used in obstetrics to describe the point during labor when the presenting part—most commonly the infant's head—becomes visible at the vaginal opening as it descends through the birth canal. It marks the transition to the final stage of delivery and is typically observed during the second stage of labor. At crowning, the widest portion of the presenting part is just below or beyond the perineum, causing the tissues to bulge.

Delivery follows with the birth of the head, then the shoulders and the remainder of the body. Medical management aims to support safe delivery while minimizing perineal trauma, with practices varying by situation. Some births involve episiotomy or controlled tearing, while others proceed without surgical intervention. The duration of crowning and the time to full birth can vary; in some labors it is brief, in others it may be longer depending on fetal position and maternal factors.

In dentistry, crowning refers to the fitting of a dental crown onto a prepared tooth to restore its function and appearance. The process typically involves tooth preparation, impression taking, and crown fabrication, with options including metal, porcelain, and ceramic crowns. Crowning can be done after injury, decay, or root canal treatment to protect and strengthen the tooth.

Crowning can also describe the ceremonial placing of a crown on a monarch’s head, a symbolic act known as a coronation. In this sense, crowning represents sovereignty and legitimacy, and is often accompanied by ritual elements and public spectacle.