Creating beautiful smiles is our specialty!
Clearwater Dentistry
CROWNS
Clearwater Dentistry
CROWNS
Creating beautiful smiles is our specialty!
WHAT ARE DENTAL CROWNS?
A dental crown is a cap that resembles a tooth and is placed on top of it, to protect it from breakage, cracks, and decay.
A crown helps restore a tooth which has been damaged due to wear and tear, decay, accidental blow, etc. and gives it its original look, strength, and structure.
WHY ARE DENTAL CROWNS NECESSARY?
Dental crowns might be required when:
- A tooth is broken or chipped substantially and is at a risk of further breakage or cutting the mouth surrounding it.
- A tooth is so worn down that it is incapable of carrying out is functions and is also susceptible to decay and infection.
- A tooth which has a large filling but not a firm structure to keep it in place and needs to be covered and supported.
- A misshaped and discolored tooth that needs cosmetic facelift.
- A dental bridge needs to be installed.
- A dental implant needs to be covered, for example, a replacement for a tooth which has been extracted.
Crowns are also sometimes used for children mainly due to the decay or structural damage to their teeth, caused by the absence of proper and daily oral hygiene. The crowns used in these cases are stainless steel crowns, which are highly recommended by pediatric dentists.
TYPES OF CROWNS
There are quite a few different types of crowns available these days. Your dentist will suggest various recommendations based on your specific requirements. You can take your pick based on your preferences and affordability.
• Stainless steel: These prefabricated crowns are generally used for temporary measures, for example, to protect the tooth under treatment from breakage while the permanent crown is being fabricated at the lab. Stainless steel crowns are used extensively in pediatric dentistry though, since it helps cover the tooth and prevents it from decay and comes out along with the primary tooth when it’s time to make room for the permanent tooth. Since it is cost effective and can be installed in a single sitting, stainless steel crowns are a dentist’s preferred kind of crown when treating children.
• Metals: Metal crowns are the best options for the molars at the back as they are not visible and are also able to withstand the pressures of biting and chewing that molars are exposed to most. Metal crowns are made of base metal alloys like, cobalt-chromium or nickel-chromium alloys, or alloys that have a high content of platinum or gold.
While these crowns are some of the sturdiest options one can choose from, if you suffer from metal allergies, then this might not be the best option for you. The second drawback would be the metallic color of these crowns, which make them an unflattering option when a visible tooth needs to be crowned.
NON-METALLIC CROWNS
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal: These dental crowns provide the benefits of both metal and porcelain. Right from being sturdy due to the presence of metal on these crowns to having a porcelain top layer which gives the crown a look much closer to that of the original tooth, including matching the color with the surrounding teeth. However, the porcelain part of the crown is subject to chipping and breakage. Also, the metal underneath the porcelain crown might show as a dark line along the gum, especially in case of receding gum lines.
• All ceramic or porcelain: These crowns, unlike the last one, do not have any metal content in them, thus making them safe for people with metal allergies. Also, the lack of metal removes the chances of the black line appearing on the gum. These crowns are overall sturdy, apart from the risk of chipping when subjected to extreme pressures. Given the ability to create custom crowns with this material, they can be used for both front and back teeth.
• All resin: These crowns are less expensive than the porcelain and the ceramic crowns, however, they are at a higher risk of chipping ad breakage than the former.
THE CROWN INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
Upon examination of the affected tooth, the dentist will suggest if it requires any further treatment such as a filling or a root canal, to rule out any chance of further decay or infection. The dentist then levels the tooth by numbing it and then filing it, enabling it to hold the crown in place. On the other hand, if the surface area of the tooth is diminished then the dentist might need to build up the tooth with a filling material and create enough surface on the tooth to hold the crown.
Following these procedures, the dentist will use some paste to create an impression of the tooth, based on which the crown will be crafted at the lab. This step is also important to ensure that your bite is not affected when the crown is placed on your original tooth. The dentist might provide you with a temporary stainless-steel crown for the time being until they receive the actual crown from the lab. This is to keep your treated tooth protected from damage during the waiting time.
A second sitting is required for the dentist to cover the tooth with the actual crown, customized and received from the lab.
If you want to know more about how crowns can help you, visit Clearwater Smiles Dentistry today or feel free to schedule online immediately.
