Are you looking to know Dental Crowns: Types, Procedure & Care then read this article to find out Dental Crowns: Types, Procedure & Care
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cover that replenishes the strength, function, and the appearance of a weak, damaged, decayed, or worn-down tooth. If you are also considering orthodontic options, searching for Invisalign near me can help you find clinics that provide both cosmetic and restorative dental treatments. Dental implants and teeth protection are also fitted with crowns to cover them after root canal treatment.
What Is a Dental Crown?
Crowns are oversized hats that cover the tooth entirely giving the affected teeth protection and support. Dentists tend to take away a little bit of enamel in order to fit the crown precisely and then place the bonded crown in position. A dental crown should primarily be used to restore functionality, preserve vulnerable teeth, and enhance the appearance.
Types of Dental Crowns
Dental technicians create crowns with the help of various materials, and they have various strengths and limitations.
- Metal Crowns: These are made out of alloys like gold, palladium, nickel, and chromium and they hardly chip away, are more durable and need less enamel to be extracted. They are metallic, making them the best choice when it comes to out of sight molars.
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns: These are metal crowns that are combined with the aesthetic appearance of porcelain, however, the porcelain restoration can chip away as the years pass, revealing the metal beneath. They can fit both front and back teeth and are almost as long lasting as metal crowns.
- Pressed Ceramic Crowns: These are constructed of a hard inner ceramic core and layers of porcelain and look like natural enamel but chip easily. They are applied on both front and back teeth.
- All-Ceramic or Porcelain Crowns: These crowns are ideal in imitating tooth enamel, and are recommended to individuals with metal allergies. Zirconia is an ideal material as it is strong and not hard to touch other teeth. CAD/CAM technology has enabled dentists to make personalized ceramic crowns during one visit with qualified patients.
- Resin Crowns: They are cheaper and weaker than other types, and are typically temporary in nature, lasting three to five years.
Dental Crown Procedure
The placement of dental crowns takes place within two appointments in general:
Step 1: The dentist prepares the tooth, cleans away the enamel and makes impressions.
Step 2: A dental laboratory prepares the crown which is glued in place on the second visit. In the case of same-day crowns, digital impressions and milling machines inside the office make it better.
Benefits and Drawbacks
The benefits of crowns are immense, which is to save the natural teeth, restore functionality, and improve the appearance. These are disadvantaged by potential wear of opposing teeth, sensitivity, and occasional chipping or breakage of enamels. The majority of patients resume their usual routine immediately after placement although gum sensitivity or tenderness may take up to two weeks.
Care and Maintenance
The average life of crowns is between five to fifteen years (and in the best conditions, thirty). Keeping away of hard food such as ice or candy, maintaining oral hygiene, as well as regular dentist visits are recommended to extend their life. Contact a dentist in case of persistent pain, sensitivity or observable damage.
Substitutes and Alternatives and Comparisons.
Dental crowns are commonly regarded as the alternative to veneers that cover only the surface of the teeth. Options are fillings, onlays and, in some instances, tooth extraction and then implantation or braces. The same restoration is also known as its caps, or crowns.