Dental Crowns

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is an effective treatment option for teeth that are badly damaged. The dental crown procedure utilizes tooth-shaped coverings made of metal, zirconia, or porcelain to improve the appearance, restore strength, and eliminate the discomfort felt when there is a damaged tooth.

This treatment typically takes up to 2-3 visits, with a total of 7-10 days to complete.

Benefits of a Dental Crown

  •  Covers discolored and irregularities in teeth in improving cosmetic appearance
  •  Protects severely damaged tooth or tooth weakened by decay, fracture, large fillings, or root canal therapy from fracturing. 
  •  Holds together cracked or weakened teeth and seals the tooth off from decay
  •  Helps preserve the natural function and position of the teeth
  •  Restores tooth with large decay, cavities or fillings
  •  Supports the replacement teeth in a bridge
  •  Restores and maintains natural bite
  •  Covers a root canal treated tooth and a dental implant

Different Types of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can be made out of different materials. The type of crown utilized during your dental crown procedure will depend on your unique needs and goals, as well as the recommendation of your dentist.

The common materials used to make dental crowns are the following:

  • Porcelain/ Ceramic
  • Porcelain fused to metal
  • Zirconia

Porcelain/ Ceramic Dental Crown

All ceramic crowns are made of porcelain or dental ceramic materials. This type of dental crown creates an extremely natural-looking appearance and is typically used on the front teeth. 

The tooth-colored ceramic material is translucent, like the enamel of a natural tooth. The size and shade can also be carefully matched to complement the rest of a person’s smile. 

An all-porcelain dental crown can make a tooth both strong and beautiful. Because of the strength of the modified core material, all-porcelain dental crowns are suitable for prosthetic reconstructions anywhere in the mouth. In addition, all-porcelain crowns are made of a biocompatible material which minimizes the risk of allergic reactions. 

Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal Dental Crown

A porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crown is a hybrid between an all-metal crown and an all-porcelain dental crown. During the procedure, a metal core is custom fitted to the affected tooth. A layer of porcelain is then fused over this metal core, giving the crown a white tooth-like appearance.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns have the advantage of having a nearly natural appearance thanks to the porcelain layer, and the strength and stability provided by the underlying metal core. Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns are stronger than an all-porcelain dental crown but are more prone to fracture compared to an all-metal dental crown.

Zirconia Crown/ Porcelain fused to Zirconia Crown

Zirconia dental crowns are made from zirconium dioxide which is a very durable type of metal that is related to titanium but categorized as a type of ceramic crown. 

Dental crowns made from zirconia are considered the most durable type of dental crown. It effectively withstands wear and tear and does not chip off easily.

If maintained well, this dental crown can last for a very long time. Zirconia dental crowns are at least five times stronger than all-porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns. Zirconia dental crowns are also metal-free which helps prevent darkening around the gingival area. However, the look of this dental crown can be a little hard to match to the rest of your teeth because of the material’s opacity. To mimic the natural shade of the teeth a layer of porcelain on top of the zirconia is recommended for front teeth.

Procedure for Dental Crown

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Examination of the Tooth

During the first appointment, the dentist will examine the tooth to make sure that it can support a dental crown. X-ray scans of the tooth and surrounding bone are taken. If tooth decay or infection of the tooth’s pulp is identified, a root canal treatment may be recommended by the dentist before proceeding with the dental crown procedure.

The whole process for installing a dental crown normally takes 2 to 3 separate visits and is usually done 7 days apart.

Preparation of the Tooth

Once the tooth has been cleaned, a local anesthetic is applied to numb the tooth and its surrounding area. Then, the dentist will file down the tooth to prepare it for the dental crown. 

Alternatively, if the tooth is severely damaged or broken, the dentist has to fill it in first to make it large enough to properly receive a dental crown.

Placement of the Temporary Dental Crown

After the tooth has been filed or filled into the proper shape, the Dentist will take an impression of the tooth. Afterward, the impression will be sent to the dental laboratory for the fabrication of permanent dental.

While waiting for the permanent dental crown, the patient is provided with a temporary dental crown to protect the tooth.

Trial and Installation of the Permanent Dental Crown

Once the permanent dental crown is ready, the patient will be called in for a second visit. During this appointment, the dentist will test the dental crown’s fit, shade, and position. If everything is perfect, the dentist will cement the new dental crown to the tooth using permanent resin cement.

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