What are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are a form of dental restoration where a cap is placed over the entire visible portion of the tooth in order to enhance its strength, size, appearance, or shape.

Crowns can be used when there is a very badly decayed tooth, broken, or has large cavitated tooth. They help in supporting the remaining part of the tooth.

Why Do You Need a Dental Crown?

Dental crowns are used to treat a wide range of dental problems. They could be used in cosmetics, like covering severely misaligned or discolored teeth. These crowns may serve as a shield for weakened teeth due to large fillings and cover the deciduous teeth that are susceptible to caries.

Types of a Tooth Crown

Gold or other Metal alloy crowns

The most durable crowns
They are very hard and resist chipping/cracking.
They are perfect for molars in the back since they have a look much like that of metal.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns

The crowns are porcelain lined over a metal framework.
They are very hard, long lasting and come in colors to match your natural teeth.
Typical crowns for PFM are on back teeth due to their ability to stand against the chewing and grinding pressure.
Metals offer strength, but eventually, you would notice a black color at your gum line.

All-porcelain or all-ceramic crowns

They are mostly for frontal teeth.
These are perfect for people with metal allergies; they will color match your own teeth.
They also come as some relief to people who dislike having metals in their mouths.

Resin crowns

The crowns are plastic and moulded in the shape of patients’ teeth.
These come cheaper than other varieties of crowns.
They lack durability and longevity.
They, as well, are less attractive than some other kinds of crowns.

The Process of Dental Crowns

This will depend on whether your dentist opts for a multi-day or same-day procedure.

1. Dental Crown with Multiple Visits

You dentist examines and prepares the crown-required tooth. For instance, an x-ray may be necessary for the tooth. Then will grind a small part of the outside of your tooth away, obtain an impression of a tooth and surrounding hard and soft tissue. Next your dentist will place a temporary crown on your tooth and send an impression of it with you to a dental lab which makes the final one. This process can take weeks. Finally, you will come in again after a few weeks once your permanent crown arrives. Your dentist will also re-numb the tooth and then take-off the temporary crown and permanently position the new crown. Your dentist will take another look into your bite again.

After a few days, if anything bothers you, it is necessary to come again for the third time for several minor changes.

2. Same-day Dental Crown

Now your dental crown treatment is better than ever with same-day dental crowns. No more temporary dental crowns in your mouth and no lengthy waiting periods for dental crown fabrication!

Here’s how it works: The digital pictures of your mouth will be taken by your dentist for a personalized crown right inside the office. Your new crown will be planned and fabricated in as little as 3–4 hours due to the introduction of advanced techniques.

Knowing the difference between a permanent and temporary crown.

There are different types of dental crowns such as permanent and temporary crowns that can be used for restoration purposes. They are typically made of less durable material, such as acrylic, they are intended to wear for a limited period when a permanent one can then be prepared and fixed.

Shortly, the purpose of temporary crowns is temporary while permanent crowns are intended to work all lifelong.

Conclusion

Dental crown is a durable cosmetic solution that with proper upkeep may endure for quite a long time providing you a bright and functional smile. For most cases of damaged teeth, dental crowns offer suitable restoration for the affected teeth, while providing a safeguard against deterioration of their condition. They can be made from a variety of materials, each with its pros and cons. When deciding on what type of crown is suitable it is recommended that you seek advice from a dentist. If you have more questions about dental crowns, please contact our cosmetic dentist Dr. Razavi at (215) 996-7030.