Dental crowns, also called dental caps, are used to restore a decayed, damaged, or missing tooth. A dental crown is a type of dental restoration method used to cover and protect the tooth. They are used to restore broken or damaged teeth and can improve the appearance of your smile. They can also cover up discolored, chipped, or broken teeth. When placing a dental crown or a cap, your dentist will numb the tooth to keep you comfortable and then file down the tooth to a shape to perfectly place the crown.
Just like an umbrella protects you from the weather, a dental crown protects your teeth from further damage caused by decay or other issues. Keep reading to learn more about dental crowns.
Types of Dental Crowns
Crowns are generally made from metal alloys (such as gold), porcelain (a type of ceramic), or plastic resins that are fused onto your natural teeth with heat, light, and pressure. You could also get your crown with a combination of materials like porcelain fused with metal. Your dentist will choose the crown material depending on the tooth’s location, the surrounding teeth' color, and the damage. He will also choose between a crown covering the entire tooth or just covering a portion of your tooth. The crowns which cover only a part are called the onlay or ¾ tooth crown.
Metal Crowns
Metal crowns are made of gold, platinum, or other metal alloys. They're durable and can withstand biting and chewing for an extended period, but they don't look as nice as other dental crowns. Metal crowns are a good choice for out-of-sight molars.
Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal (Pfm) Crowns
These types of crowns can match the color of your adjacent teeth. They are made using a metal base with porcelain fused over the top and can offer strength, durability, and longevity. They are often used to treat larger cavities or when more than one tooth is involved in restoration, or there is a need for the metallic strength. However, they are more subject to wear and tear than metallic crowns.
All-Ceramic or All-Porcelain Crowns
All-ceramic crowns are the best for matching the natural teeth' color. It is suitable for front teeth. They are entirely metal-free and are ideal for people with metal allergies. They are also sometimes used for cosmetic dental procedures to restore teeth' shape, size, and color. However, ceramic crowns are not as strong as porcelain fused to metal crowns and can wear out the opposing teeth.
Pressed Ceramic
Crowns made of pressed ceramic have a hard inner core and a porcelain cap. The adjacent teeth can be matched in color and are often much stronger than the all-ceramic crowns.
All-Resin Dental Crowns
All-resin dental crowns are one of the most affordable crowns available. They can be color matched to blend with the surrounding teeth. These crowns are more likely to break or chip off than porcelain fused crowns.
If you want to know more about dental crowns and other dental restoration methods, please visit Dearborn Family Smiles. We are a dedicated team of specialists providing outstanding family dentistry services. Book an appointment to move a step closer to happy and healthy smiles.