What Precisely Is A Dental Crown?
A dental crown can be ornamental but frequently it is used as a protective cap fixed on the head of a fragile tooth. It perfectly encapsulates this part of a tooth above the gum. Our office can offer dental services to our esteemed patients including the invention of a dental cap with longevity and strength. You should be at ease thanks to the skills of our dentists.
Different Types Available
We Can Offer Three Different Types Of Dental Caps
- All Metal — These are developed solely with metal alloys. They have poor aesthetics despite having excellent strength. Therefore they are rarely used and set aside chiefly for the restoration of posterior teeth which are not typically visible.
- All Porcelain — These are developed from tooth-colored ceramics and therefore possess the best aesthetics. Porcelain crowns are reserved for patients who are extremely conscious about their smile and facial aesthetics.
- Metal-Ceramic — This variety integrates the strength of metal and the aesthetics of porcelain caps. They have a framework of metallic alloys on which a layer of porcelain has been attached.
We also have different varieties available based upon their intended duration of use.
- Permanent — Customarily, these are used to permanently restore a crooked or chipped tooth with posts. They are bonded into place with the help of dental adhesives. They can only be removed by a dentist if any repairs are needed.
Why and When To Cap A Tooth?
Recommendations are provided for capping a tooth when there is a:
- A technical [restorative] necessity.
- A cosmetic requirement.
On most occasions, both these situations can be simultaneously satisfied with a tooth crown. Therefore cosmetic effects will also be considered when implementing the restorative requirements. This may include whitening or even lengthening them in certain cases. Fortunately, this procedure does not cause any pain in our patients.
Requirements
This treatment may be recommended to your tooth in the following situations:
- Weak Teeth — If they are weak, cracked or differently damaged they can in every likelihood be saved with this treatment.
- Following A Root Canal Treatment — A restored tooth especially after undergoing a root canal treatment may be excessively weakened to make it unable to bear chewing during meals. In a situation of this type, the tooth should be capped by a skilled professional.
- Heavily Filled Teeth — If a tooth has been restored with large fillings but has little original material remaining the survival of the tooth is at risk. Such must be crowned.
Dental Crowns can improve your ability to speak, smile beautifully and can also allow you to chew food properly.
Cosmetic Reasons For Crowning Teeth
- Aesthetics — They can improve the appearance of badly shaped ones.
- Masking Permanent Stains — This method can also be used to easily cover discoloration despite other alternatives also being available.
- Longevity — These are proven to be long-lasting and rarely if ever fall off.
The Merits and Demerits Of Different Materials
Stainless Steel — These are generally inexpensive and a wide variety of shapes and sizes are available and ready to be built. They are normally used in two different situations such as baby teeth when a child is highly susceptible to tooth decay or with adults when teeth have been repaired. In both cases, the permanent fake tooth is made in the laboratory.
Gold And Other Metal Alloy Based — Several reasons can be attributed to the use of gold for many years. The relatively low price of gold in situations makes it useful and it can be alloyed with other metals to provide it extra strength. Other base metals can at times be used in place of gold. These are strong against wear and can bear the pressure of chewing forces appropriately. Gold is also kind to the opposing tooth and does not cause wear in it either. The additional strength of gold and metal alloy versions of this prosthetic can be developed with thin walls. This is beneficial because less material will have to be shaved off the tooth. However metallic alloys are characteristically colored and may therefore not be accepted aesthetically. They are a perfect solution for molars which are not normally visible in most cases. Gold and other metals are good conductors of heat and the wearer may feel sensitivity to cold for the initial few weeks following the procedure.
All Resin — these are the most affordable variety available but are not acknowledged for their strength. They can fracture easily and tend to wear down over a period. Staining is a problem associated with this variety.
All-Ceramic [all porcelain] — this variety can be very expensive but if aesthetics is a major consideration in your decision this can be a great option. They can offer the best color matches with your other ones because porcelain is translucent and reflects the natural color of what’s beneath. Porcelain is, however, a poor conductor of heat and therefore the initial period of sensitivity to heat and cold is negligible for some time. You will not be affected by allergies as it is common with some other materials. However, they tend to wear out faster than most other materials. They are also susceptible to cracking under the forces of chewing especially with patients suffering from bruxism. Considering these reasons, porcelain caps needed for any molars are made thicker necessitating the need to trim more enamel from the teeth. These are generally used on front ones where aesthetics are more important.
Zirconia Or Milled — If you are concerned about aesthetics but finances are not a consideration you are recommended to go with zirconium. They are the most expensive variety but being translucent they can provide a very good color match with your others. They are not susceptible to cracks as the ceramic ones are because they are metallic. Zirconia is presently highly popular among many people. CAD/CAM facilities allow the zirconia crowns to be milled even as the patient rates. This can also be saved for a second visit.
Made from Porcelain Fused To Metal — Fusing porcelain over metal [which may even be zirconia] has helped to overcome the disadvantage of the brittleness of all-porcelain crowns while still offering good color matches to the adjacent ones. They are the best aesthetic choice after all porcelain. However, the metal underlay can become visible along the gum line if the gum recedes. Furthermore, the underlying metal [normally a gold alloy] can make the cap appear unnatural. The zirconia base can be milled and will be more affordable than a gold base.
Procedure
During the first visit, your teeth will be prepared for placing the crowns. This would require trimming the enamel to allow for cap thickness. Thereafter impressions will be taken and sent to the laboratory for molding. When they are received from the laboratory they will be cemented in place during your second visit. If you are concerned about the pain you may have to undergo we suggest not to worry. The application will not cause any pain and you can relax at ease as is done. If zirconium is being used they can be milled using CAD/CAM while the patient waits. The average time required for the healing process is short with little aftercare being necessary. It will not be long before you are out of recovery and have full options over the kind of foods you want to have.
Dental Crowns Cost
These restorative crowns are different in prices and typically based on the material being used. The price of this procedure is more than worth the work because it is both a cosmetic as well as practical addition to your mouth. It simply indicates you need to find the best care that’s closest to you for the help you need. If you are spending the money you had better ensure you do it wisely. If you’re considering this treatment rest assured our office can provide you a variety of financing options which will be helpful.
Lifespan and Repair
When properly maintained these can last for over seven years and even a lifetime. However the possibilities of the cement underneath getting dissolved loosening the teeth remain. In such cases, it may ultimately come off. If this happens the patient is advised not to force it back on because it could be holding traces of cement inside and damage the tooth. Porcelain can crack needing to be fused and if so the repair can be performed at the dental laboratory in certain cases. If you have damaged your new tooth please dispatch it to our office and we will get it repaired for you. If the tooth is severely damaged leaving no chances of any repairs to be carried out we will provide you a replacement with a new one.
Learn more Detecting Tooth Decay Under Crowns
Dental Crowns @ Elsinore Smiles, Lake Elsinore, CA
Dental crowns are a fantastic option to restore dental health and repair damaged ones. Make an appointment with our dental office to help us to find the best solution for your specific situation and case. Our dental care specialists will ensure your questions are answered to make you confident with your decision. Our practice is located in Riverside County, CA just minutes from Temecula and Menifee.
See Before and After pictures of our patients.