Dental Crowns: All You Need to Know
Learn all about dental crowns: what they are, when you need one, the procedure, different types, and how to care for them. Restore your smile and tooth function.
Also known as a dental cap, crowns are prosthetic devices that cover weak, damaged, worn out, and uneven teeth. They also look and feel like natural teeth in size, shape, appearance, and strength. Crowns can be made from various materials, such as porcelain, metal, ceramic, or a mixture of these materials. With dental crowns, the functioning of the tooth remains the same as a natural tooth. However, you need to keep a check on your dental crowns while scheduling regular visits to the dentist. Dental crowns services offer numerous benefits that suit individuals of all age groups.
Some of the key advantages are: Protection of Weakened Teeth: Dental crowns offer a strong covering for weakened teeth by decay, root canal treatment, or other dental procedures. Savior for Damaged Teeth: Crowns are a perfect solution if you have cracked, chipped, or damaged teeth. Dental crowns can give you back the appearance of a natural tooth within two dental appointments. Durability: Crowns have an impressive lifespan, especially when you maintain a good oral care routine along with regular dental visits.
Since crowns are often made from materials like porcelain, metal, or a combination of both, they can withstand strong biting forces and wear over time. Functional Restoration: Crowns allow your tooth to function normally. If you have difficulty biting and chewing due to damaged or weakened teeth, this treatment of cosmetic dentistry can restore the functioning of teeth. Improved Aesthetics: Aesthetics is a major reason for many to get crowns.
As crowns can swiftly blend with the appearance of other natural teeth, they can significantly enhance the smile and uplift self-confidence Support for Bridges: Individuals going for a dental bridge to replace missing teeth need crowns as they are used as anchors for the bridge. Their notable role is to provide stability to the bridge. Types of Dental Crowns Dental crowns come in various materials that differ in durability, appearance, and cost.
The most common ones include: Porcelain or Ceramic Crowns: A popular choice among individuals, porcelain or ceramic crowns offer close resemblances to natural teeth. Due to their translucent characteristics, these crowns offer a seamless look. If you have damaged or weakened front teeth, porcelain crowns pose an excellent option as no one can notice that you are wearing crowns. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns: Offering the natural appearance of porcelain or ceramic, PFM crowns boast the strength of metal.
They are the best option for back teeth since these teeth are responsible for chewing and grinding food. However, the metal component frequently creates a dark line along the gums, leading to discoloration. Resin: Resin crowns are the least expensive crowns. They are less durable and more prone to wear and fracture compared to other crown materials. Resin crowns are majorly used as temporary crowns and installed before the permanent crowns are placed.
Zirconia: Made from zirconium dioxide, Zirconia crowns are a perfect pick for the ones seeking the strength of metal crowns and the natural-looking appearance of porcelain/ceramic crowns. They are extremely strong and can withstand chewing forces. If you are allergic to metal, consider zirconia as a good option. Metal: Metal crowns, made from gold, silver, or alloy metal are strong and highly durable. The key highlight of these crowns is their strength as biting, chewing, and grinding of food will not strain the crown.
While they are significantly strong, many individuals may not prefer them due to their metallic color. All About the Dental Crowning Process There are multiple steps involved in getting crowns. Here is a brief about the procedure: Initial Consultation: During your first appointment, the dentist or orthodontist will check your teeth, take X-rays, and ask your concerns. Once receiving all the important information, they will determine whether the crown is the optimal solution for you.
Treatment Plan: Once the crowns are deemed suitable for you, the dentist will discuss the process with you and ask you the type of crowns you want to use. You can opt for porcelain, metal, ceramic, or a combination. Tooth preparation: Upon giving local Anesthesia, the dentist will remove any damaged or decayed parts of the tooth’s outer structure. This is to ensure that a crown fits perfectly. Impression: The dentist will now take an impression of the prepared tooth. This can be done through 3D scanning or with traditional materials.
The impression is later sent to a dental lab for the next stage, the creation of the crown. Temporary crown placement: During the fabrication of a permanent crown, the dentist will place a temporary crown over the prepared tooth. This is to protect the tooth from any damage. Crown placement: When the permanent crown is ready to be placed, the dentist will take off the temporary crown and check the fit, bite, and color of the permanent one. Once this crucial step is completed. The dentist will now permanently place the crown onto the prepared tooth with a dental adhesive.
Adjustment and final touches: Once the permanent crown is secured, the dentist will ensure that the crown fits properly while making necessary adjustments. Follow-Up: You will be given instructions on taking care of the crowns to give them a significantly longer life. It’s recommended to attend follow-up appointments to ensure the proper functioning of your crown and other dental issues. Dental crowns are an excellent option for decayed and damaged teeth as they last from 5 to 15 years, especially if you maintain your dental health along with regular dental visits.
If you are seeking the best dentist in Etobicoke, look no further as the dentists and orthodontists at West Metro Dental are here to ensure that all your dental concerns are properly understood and best treatment is always advised. With our smart treatments done by skilled professionals, we address a wide range of dental issues. To learn more, visit West Metro Dental.