What are Dental Crowns

What are Dental Crowns?
Also referred to as a cap, a dental crown is usually a tooth-colored prosthetic restoration designed to cover and protect a damaged natural tooth. Once placed, a dental crown can strengthen the tooth, improving its overall functionality and appearance and the bite alignment in your mouth. If you have a tooth that is damaged, your dentist may recommend protecting the tooth with a dental crown. Depending on your situation, different types of materials are available for the crown to restore your tooth to its natural function, shape, and appearance.
Some Reasons to Get a Dental Crown
You may require a dental crown for any number of reasons. Here are a few suggestions:
* To protect a weaken tooth, for example, from decay, from breaking or to hold together a cracked tooth.
* To restore a broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down.
* To support a tooth with a large filling when there is not much tooth left.
* To support a dental bridge in place.
* To cover a misshapen or severely discolored tooth.
* To cap a dental implant.
* To improve a cosmetic modification.
The Dental Crown Procedure
Unless there is another procedure necessary, a dental crown placement usually requires just two appointments.
At your first visit your dentist will talk with you about the various crown options. The choice may depend on factors as the crown’s placement in your mouth, your bite, and your gum tissue. They will trim down the damaged tooth to allow room for the crown to fit properly. Then an impression is made and sent to a dental lab where your dental crown is custom fabricated. While you wait, a temporary crown is placed until your permanent crown is completed.
During your second visit your dentist will remove the temporary crown, place the permanent one, and make sure it meets approval before cementing it into place. Ultimately, your crown should function just as your natural tooth would.
The Different Types of Dental Crowns
If you want a gold tooth you may now be able to have one, with gold dental crown. Your dentist will advise you on which material, or combination of materials, will work best for you.
* Porcelain-Veneered Zirconia-Are strong, natural-looking, and low in cost. The porcelain is prone to chipping, which can aggravate the adjacent teeth.
* Ceramic (porcelain crowns)- These blend best with your natural teeth color to restore a front-teeth smile. It can also be prone to chipping, can aggravate adjacent teeth, susceptible to grinding teeth.
* Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM)- Offers long-term durability, provides a strong bond to the tooth, and the metal framework provides strength. The porcelain prone to chipping.
* IPS e.max (Lithium Disilicate)- This material does not require porcelain veneer. It is not as strong or tough as other materials and is usually limited to the back teeth.
* Gold Alloy- The strongest of materials along with base-metal alloy, it does not fracture or wear down teeth. It can be a costly option, with copper and other metals mixed into the gold alloy and does not look natural.
* Base-Metal Alloy- Also the strongest of materials along with gold alloy, it does not fracture or wear down teeth, it is gentle on the adjacent teeth, it is highly resistant to corrosion, and requires the least amount of tooth to be removed. It does not look natural and can be costly. For the temporary dental crown most dentists will use a resin crown.