A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is used to cover the tooth. It is used to cover a decayed or damaged tooth due to trauma. It protects and restores the size, shape, and appearance of the tooth. Also, it improves the strength of the tooth. The crown is fabricated in the dental laboratory after an impression is taken and later cemented on your tooth.
When are the dental crowns used?
Contents
- When are the dental crowns used?
- What are the different types of dental crowns?
- How can you take care of your dental crowns:
- How much does a dental crowns cost?
- Highlights:
- Blogs on bridges & crowns
- Dental bridge or an Implant- Which is better?
- Dental implants for multiple missing teeth
- Tooth loss: Various treatment options for missing teeth
- Dental implants for missing teeth
- Infographics on bridges & crowns
- Videos on bridges & crowns
- FAQs on bridges & crowns
- More dental treatments…
- Root Canal Treatment
- Bridges & crowns
- Teeth whitening
- Dentures
- Dental Implants
- Clear aligners
- Wisdom tooth removal
- Teeth scaling and polishing
- Dental filling
- Smile Makeover
- Gum diseases
- Preventive Dentistry in Adults
Dental crowns are used to restore the size, shape, and appearance of your tooth. Following are the conditions when dental crowns are needed:
- Root canal-treated tooth
- To replace a missing tooth
- Restore a chipped or broken tooth
- Broken tooth as a result of trauma or an accident
- Cover over the implanted tooth
- To correct the colour, shape, and size of teeth
- Tooth suffering from wasting disorder like abrasion or attrition
- Covers the tooth with large filling
What are the different types of dental crowns?
There are different materials used to fabricate the crown. The materials are metal, ceramic, and a combination of both.
Metal:
Different metals can be used, such as gold, stainless steel, palladium, chromium, and nickel. Mostly, stainless steel and gold are more in use. Metal has the best durability and can last a long time without any wear and tear. It also bonds perfectly with the tooth and can withstand the forces and pressure created by chewing and biting hard food. However, the metallic colour is the only drawback of using a metal crown, as it doesn’t give an aesthetic smile. But this can be used for the molars, where the crown is not visible.
Ceramic:
Ceramic crowns are tooth-coloured ones. These crowns have the best aesthetic appearance. This is a good option if you have metal allergies. But this type of crown can wear down the opposite tooth. It is considered the best option for your front teeth. But for molars, it wears down the tooth due to the biting forces applied.
Porcelain fused to metal:
This crown has metal on the inside and porcelain on the outside. It has the strength provided by the metal and the tooth-coloured appearance due to the porcelain, hence the dual advantage. The porcelain fused with metal crown solves the aesthetic problem associated with an all-metal crown. But the problem with this crown is that sometimes a black or dark line is shown because of the metal. Also, there are chances of chipping with the porcelain portion of the crown when higher forces or more pressure are applied.
How can you take care of your dental crowns:
Taking care of your dental crown is important to get the best results:
- Good oral hygiene must be maintained. Because your natural tooth is protected by the crown, decay is possible if proper care is not taken.
- If you have a habit of bruxism, it is advised to use a night guard. This will help to protect the crown and will not wear down the tooth.
- Do not apply more pressure or bite your nails, as this will damage the crown.
- It is advised not to consume cold or hot drinks or food; this will cause sensitivity.
- Visit the dentist every six months for a routine check-up.
How much does a dental crowns cost?
The expense of a dental crown depends on the type of material you choose. A metallic crown will cost you less than porcelain fused to metal or ceramic crowns. But it is advised to get your treatment done at a reputed clinic for long-lasting results.
Highlights:
- A dental crown is a fitted cap used to cover a damaged tooth.
- It helps to restore the shape, size, and appearance of the tooth.
- The tooth is first prepared, and then an impression is taken for the fabrication of the crown. Later, the crown is cemented on your tooth.
- There are different materials used for the fabrication of a crown, such as metal, ceramic, porcelain fused to metal and zirconia.
Blogs on bridges & crowns
Infographics on bridges & crowns
Videos on bridges & crowns
FAQs on bridges & crowns
Are crowns better than bridges?
If the tooth is decayed or damaged, a dental crown is preferable. But if the tooth is missing, then a bridge with the support of an adjacent tooth is preferred.
No, dental crowns are not whitened. The materials used for professional tooth whitening do not bond with the dental crown as they do with the natural tooth.
Maintaining proper oral hygiene helps you keep your crown in good condition. Dental cleaning is recommended every six months for best results.
The cost depends on the type of material you choose and the clinic you choose. But always go to a reputed clinic for the best outcome.
The dental crown lasts between 5 and 10 years but can last for more than 10 years if proper care is taken. Also, it depends on the forces and pressure applied, as well as the material used.
Yes, it is recommended to crown a root canal-treated tooth. This will have better protection and prevent secondary infections.
No, the procedure for a dental crown is not painful. The preparation of the tooth requires minimal removal of the enamel only. If one feels sensitivity or pain, tell their dentist, and he will administer or spray local anesthesia to avoid it and numb the area.
