A dental crown is a kind of prosthetic cap inserted on top of a tooth to restore it. Dental crowns can preserve the tooth’s functionality, looks, sensation, and overall health. If you are experiencing decayed, discolored, or chipped teeth, a dental crown can act as a replacement for the damage and save them. There exist different types of dental crowns accessible depending on periodontal conditions and the severity of the tooth damage.
Crown types include such as ceramic crowns, resin crowns, porcelain crowns infused with metals, and metal crowns. The dentist will be recommending either temporary or permanent crowns depending on the dental conditions of your oral cavity. In previous blogs found on our website we have talked a lot about the types of crowns (and we will mention them here briefly again), but in this article, we focus thoroughly on dental crowns facts.
Dental Crowns 101
You can always count on a dentist to be a dental crown master. Nevertheless, being informed about dental procedures never hurts.
What Is A Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a prosthetic device that is fixed and attached to an implant or a tooth. Dental crowns are commonly referred to as caps seeing as they act as covers and protectors for damaged teeth.
A dental crown is frequently employed for:
- The restoration of the shape and size of a tooth
- The improvement of the tooth’s strength and appearance
- The restoration of your smile and confidence
Whenever a crown is inserted it is cemented. The permanent dental implant encases the issued tooth. This implies that the smile is brought back. You never have to feel self-conscious about your teeth again.
Why Dental Crowns Are Used
Dental crowns can be employed for a wide range of purposes such as:
- For the protection of a weakened tooth. Normally, teeth can either crack, chip, decay, or break. That is why a cap is placed on top of it to keep it together. A covered tooth means a much healthier smile.
- For the restoration of a broken tooth. Dental crowns can additionally be utilized for the restoration of a tooth that is quite worn down.
- For the enhancement of the smile. Through the covering of a misshapen or discolored tooth, the smile gets right there and then better.
- For the provision of support for a dental bridge. A dental bridge necessitates at least two healthy teeth on each side. If the bridge requires more support, there might be a need for a dental crown.
In search of a way to enhance your smile’s appearance and healthiness? If yes, a dental crown might be just what you are looking for.
Types Of Crowns
There are different types of dental crowns that can be found in a diversity of materials, such as:
- Metal
- Stainless steel
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal
- Resin
- Ceramic
Let’s look at each material in depth.
Metal
A diversity of metals are utilized to create dental crowns, such as:
- Nickel-chromium
- Cobalt-chromium
- Gold
- Platinum
Metal is a quite enduring material that can withstand forces of continuous chewing and biting. Metal crowns are durable as they are also very resistant to breakage or chipping. The one drawback of metal crowns is their color. A metal dental crown is mostly chosen for molars since they aren’t all that visible.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel crowns are generally a temporary solution. In adults, a stainless steel crown is utilized for the protection of the tooth. Whilst a crown is created from a different material, a stainless steel crown is used as an appliance of stop-gap. Most commonly used in children, a stainless steel crown is quite cost-effective and necessitates one swift procedure.
A stainless steel crown can be inserted on a primary tooth that will be falling out soon. This implies that the crown will be falling out after the permanent tooth starts growing into the gums.
Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal
Different from metal crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns fit perfectly into your smile. Such crowns can be found to match the color of the adjacent teeth. Porcelain-fused crowns unfortunately lack the endurance of an all-metal or all-resin crown. They are more susceptible to chipping and breaking. However, if you are looking for a crown that is almost invisible, a porcelain-fused crown is the best solution for you.
Resin
Resin dental crowns are really cost-effective. Yet, they are very susceptible to wearing down. Resin crowns can additionally fracture due to chewing forces.
Ceramic/Porcelain
An all-ceramic or all-porcelain crown just fits into your mouth naturally. These crowns’ color is the closest one to the color of natural teeth. Are you allergic to metal? You are lucky. Ceramic crowns are optimal for those who experience metal allergies.
Additional Dental Procedure Needs
If you are experiencing huge tooth damage or decay, it’s highly likely that you will require extra dental procedures. Alongside a dental crown, you might also need:
- A root canal
- A deep professional cleaning
- Dental X-rays
- A dental bridge
Such extra procedures will further dictate the overall expenditures. Though dental work isn’t all that cheap, it is absolutely worth it. Isn’t a gorgeous and healthy smile priceless?
Crowns Are Meant To Last
If you take proper care of your crowns, they can endure for life. Though some crowns are more vulnerable to breakage and chipping, it is all up to you and how you take care of them.
Taking proper care of your dental crowns implies:
- Going to your dentist for regular checkups visits and cleanings
- Brushing and flossing at least twice a day
- Ceasing from hard foods, including candies and ice
- Ceasing from sticky foods, including toffee, caramel, and chewing gum
Common Dental Crown Issues
Taking proper care of your dental crown is the very initial step in protecting it. Nevertheless, problems do occur. Some of the most usual dental crown issues include:
- Loose or chipped crowns
- Discomfort and/or sensitivity
- Loss of crowns
- Dark line on crowned tooth
- Allergic reaction
If you are suffering from any of these problems, the best would be to contact your dentist.
10 Facts That Explain The Importance Of Dental Crowns
Crowns Can Protect Severely Damaged Teeth
Dental crowns can actually reverse the harm done to a tooth via the formation of a protective shield on the tooth. Dentists will place crowns on people who are experiencing tooth decay in order to strengthen or prevent any loose filling from dislodging. An individual might suffer from severe dental complications if he or she has a decayed or chipped tooth; that is why, a dental crown might help prevent the tooth from cracking further and maintain the tooth functionality long-term.
Implants Can Be Paired With Crowns
Dental implants are used as replacements for missing tooth roots. They are additionally employed for the stabilization of dentures and to strengthen the dental structure. The majority of patients are inclined towards dental implants for the replacement of a missing tooth, rather than choosing dental bridges. The reason they do this is because dental implants are much more secure, appear, and function similarly to natural teeth and they help in the restoration of speaking and eating abilities. Similar to regular teeth, dental crowns can restore dental implants, which implies extra protection to the teeth.
Crowns Don’t Stain
Dental crowns are created to appear and function just like natural teeth. Yet, differently from real teeth, dental crowns do not stain. Though this might be seen as a relief for certain people who would like to not pick on what they consume because they have to worry about stains, there is a little drawback to it. If you are taking into account going under a professional teeth whitening procedure, you need to comprehend that the procedure won’t be working on crowns. The color of the crowns doesn’t change, even in the event that you whiten your teeth. So make sure to whiten your teeth prior to getting a crown or crowns.
Metal-Based Crowns Can Form A Grayish Tint
Certain kinds of dental crowns are much stronger than others. For instance, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are thoroughly about aesthetics and strength. The metal structure has the ability to give the crown the right strength and stability, while the porcelain material offers the crown a pearly smile. Thus, the majority of patients pick these types of crowns. Yet, metal-based crowns oftentimes form a gray tint near the gum line due to the metal; which tends to look a little odd. Hence, non-metal crowns like ceramic are much better if you are trying to escape from the tint.
Crowns Don’t Last Forever
Dental crowns have the ability to last for a few years prior to getting worn down. Even though they can last up to a decade, there is no way to make them last for life. To make sure of their longevity and strength, the caps need to be treated with care. A crown can get damaged due to poor oral health and/or physical trauma. Ensure to maintain a healthy dental routine, and if you are a sportist, get a mouthguard.
Crowns Perform Like Natural Teeth
Patients might be scared of crowns not feeling like real teeth. The reality is different however, most patients are unable to distinguish between real teeth and crowns. Dental crowns fit amazingly over the natural teeth and they might not appear any different to a patient’s regular teeth. Furthermore, a patient can speak and eat normally without the use of any other device.
Crowns Prevent Jawbone Recession
Needless to say, a tooth extraction impacts a patient’s smile and self-confidence, but it also impacts the facial structure and jawbone. The jawbone relies entirely on the teeth for the right stimulation. Without it, the jawbone starts to atrophy. In the event of an abscess or tooth decay, a dentist can treat the tooth and protect it with the employment of a crown. The dental crown also prevents recession.
Crowns Can Last Up To 30 Years
With the proper care, dental crowns can last for decades. On average, a dental crown might last for approximately 10 to 15 years, but some might even last up to 30. Taking care of dental crowns involves eliminating bruxism (teeth grinding) and ceasing any action that might damage or break the crown. Moreover, routinely flossing and brushing protect crowns. Patients must practice care not to abuse their teeth. The chewing of ice cubes and biting of open bottles or pencil tips can damage the teeth and cause more harm to crowns. Though quite hard to harm, porcelain dental crowns can break or crack when treated incorrectly.
Crowns Treat Damaged Teeth
Among the main reasons why patients ask for dental crowns is the fact that they can save teeth. Dentists utilize dental crowns for the treatment of infected, broken, or cracked teeth. In the event of an infection, a root canal procedure is needed. The patient’s tooth becomes quite more prone to breakage and more infection, following a root canal. In order to protect the tooth, the dentist will install a cap. The only other way out for a dental crown is a tooth extraction in certain cases.
Crowns Support Bridgework
Patients who are missing more than one tooth can still benefit from bridgework. A bridge is an appliance that fills in the gaps via pontics or artificial teeth. The dentist will have to connect the bridgework to regular teeth to put the teeth in the proper place. Normally, he or she utilizes dental crowns to anchor the bridgework correctly. Dental crowns can top dental implants, the implants are anchored in the jawbone for some additional stability.
Conclusion
Dental crowns might be a worthwhile solution for those patients who need restorative dentistry. Dental crowns can bring back a smile, but also the functionality of a tooth, just like natural teeth, and they can endure for a lifetime. Prior to a patient agreeing to dental crowns, it might be helpful to find out as much as possible about the procedure to make sure the desired result is achievable.
Request an appointment through our “Contact Us” page or call Dr. Roland Zhuka at +355 69 70 44 409 for a visit to his clinic.