Dental Crowns:

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed directly over a tooth in order to restore its shape, strength, or size. In addition, crowns are able improve the appearance of the tooth, making it an attractive treatment for many patients.

From the top of the tooth to the bottom of the gum line, the dental crown encloses the entire visible portion of the tooth. These serve to treat teeth that are badly decayed, cracked, or broken.

Many patients are intimidated by the concept of a dental crown. During the initial dentist visit, examination and preparation are the main goals.

The dentist will take an impression of the teeth to be sent to a dental laboratory for construction and development. As the crown is being created, usually between 2 to 3 weeks, a temporary crown will be given to the patient.

Upon the second dentist visit, the dentist will remove the temporary crown in order to fit the permanent crown. After making sure that the fit and color are both appropriate, the crown will be permanently cemented.

When do I need a dental crown:

There are a wide variety of situations that may require a dental crown. Dependent upon personal preference, specific dental issue, and severity of the problems, all patients are encouraged to speak with a dental professional in order to determine the best treatment plan.

Due to the permanent nature of dental crowns, it is imperative that patients fully understand the procedure and results that are entailed in this oral procedure.
The following are the most common situations that may require crown treatment.

A tooth is broken or very worn down and needs to be restored.

A tooth has weakened (often from decay) and requires crowning to avoid breaking or cracking of the tooth.

Teeth that have been treated with a root canal.

Holds the dental bridge in place

Covering a dental implant.

A large filling is given to a tooth with minimal area left in order to cover and/or support what is left of the tooth.

Improve appearance of discolored or deformed teeth.

Cosmetic adjustments.

Types of Crowns:

Temporary crowns are typically constructed using acrylic or stainless steel. Permanent crowns, on the other hand, must be fabricated in a dental laboratory. The following are the most common types of permanent crowns.

All-Ceramic or All-Porcelain:

As the name implies, these crowns are composed of ceramic and/or porcelain and most accurately match the coloring of surrounding normal teeth. Porcelain crowns were previously used only for the front teeth due to their potential to wear down. Due to advancing technology in the strength and appearance of these materials, porcelain crowns can now be a great choice for any tooth.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal:

These crowns are able to match the color of neighboring teeth. These are often used for front or back teeth and look very similar to the normal teeth surrounding it. Unlike a Ceramic or Porcelain crown, these have a metal substrate under them that over time can show through appearing like a black line under the gums.

Gold:

These are amongst the most durable of crowns and are able to withstand daily use without cracking or chipping. In addition, minimal tooth structure needs to be eliminated for metal crowns. The biggest disadvantage, however, is the gold color. Therefore many patients choose metal crowns for back teeth that are not visible.

Stainless Steel:

This type of crown is used predominately as a temporary measure, but can make permanent crowns. Stainless steel crowns are typically used for children; as they are cost-effective and do not usually entail multiple visits to the dentist.

All-Resin:

These are the least expensive types of crowns. All-resin crowns are vulnerable to fractures and typically wear down in a year.

Sometimes after a crown is cemented, there is some sensitivity to the tooth which usually subsides within a few weeks.

However, once the patient becomes accustomed to the crown, they are likely to enjoy all of the benefits that this dental treatment offers. With proper care and consistent cleaning, the patient’s overall health and confidence in their smile will improve significantly with dental crowns.

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