An Ultimate Guide to Dental Crowns

Do you have broken, chipped, or misaligned teeth? Do you need a root canal treatment? Dental crowns are a great solution to help restore your smile!

Dental crowns are both restorative and cosmetic. They strengthen your teeth and look natural. But what are the different types of dental crowns, and who needs them?

Let's take a journey through everything on the subject in our ultimate guide to dental crowns!

What Are Dental Crowns?

A dental crown is a small restorative cap that sits on top of your natural tooth, covering it completely. A dental crown looks like a natural tooth. It is made especially for your mouth.

During the dental crown procedure, your dentist will file your tooth down. This will remove any broken or diseased parts of the tooth.A small part of the tooth will remain for the dentist to attach the crown to.

The dentist will make impressions and usually send them off to a lab. The lab then uses these impressions to make a bespoke dental crown for your tooth. Occasionally, this may be done in the dentist's office.

On the final visit, your dentist will fit the crown. It will be securely attached to the natural tooth using very strong dental adhesive.

Why Are Dental Crowns Needed?

You will need a dental crown if your tooth is badly damaged. You may have had an accident and broken a tooth.

Sometimes you can choose veneers for chipped teeth. But if the chip is severe, you will need a crown to strengthen the tooth. Dental crowns can protect weak teeth and prevent them from breaking.

If you develop large dental cavities, you may also need a crown. Your dentist may need to remove a large part of your tooth. Covering this with a crown will give the tooth strength and look more natural than a large filling.

You will also need a dental crown if you have a dental implant. The implant sits in the jawbone, and your dentist will attach a post to it. They will then attach the dental crown to the post to complete the procedure.

What Types of Dental Crowns Exist Today?

Early crowns were all made of metal. Thankfully, the technology has moved on, and now there are many natural-looking alternatives. All have their unique features and pros and cons.

Metal Crowns

Metal crowns have a great reputation for being very strong and lasting a long time. They are not prone to chipping or breaking. The dentist only has to remove a small amount of the tooth, and they can take the pressure of biting and chewing.

The drawback? They do not look natural at all. Common metals include gold, palladium, and nickel - and none of those look like teeth!

Many people still prefer to have these crowns for molars - back teeth where they will not be easily seen.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal

Porcelain is an excellent choice for dental crowns. That's because it is hardwearing and, importantly, looks much more natural than most other substances.

That's because, like tooth enamel, porcelain is naturally translucent. Porcelain can be matched to the color of your other teeth so that dental crowns blend in.

One of our best dental crown tips is to consider porcelain-fused-to-metal implants. They give you the best of both materialsthe natural look of porcelain and the strength of metal.

The only drawback? There can be a faint dark line around the edge of the tooth where it meets the gumline. Some people may prefer not to have them for front teeth for this reason.

All-Resin

All-resin crowns give quite a natural appearance. Your dentist can also match them to the color of your natural teeth.

The drawback with all-resin crowns is that they are not as durable as other materials. They only last for 5 to 15 years.

All-Porcelain

These crowns sometimes go by the name all-ceramic. They are perfect for people with metal allergies. They are also great if you want the look of porcelain without any dark lines.

They are not quite as strong as porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. However, their unbeatable looks make them a great choice for front teeth.

Choosing the Right Dental Crown For You

Your choice of dental crown will depend on several factors. First of all, your dentist will likely recommend what he or she feels is the most suitable type. They will provide dental crown advice based on:

• The location of the tooth
• The function of the tooth
• How visible the tooth is

Some people don't mind very obvious crowns, such as metal crowns, for back teeth. Studies have shown that gold crowns last the longest.

Other people would still prefer a more natural-looking crown, such as porcelain fused to metal. At the back of the mouth, where the sides are less visible, the dark line is less of an issue.

Dental Crown Cost

The cost of dental crowns varies from practice to practice. Your dentist will talk to you about your options and all the costs involved. Be sure that you understand exactly what is included in the dental crown package before going ahead.

To give you a rough idea, the most expensive type of dental crowns are all-porcelain crowns. All-resin crowns are usually the cheapest, but they are also the most prone to breaking.

Remember to factor in the durability of the crown material when deciding which option is right for you.

Choose A Healthy Happy Smile for Your Dental Crowns!

Getting dental crowns can make a huge difference in your life. Not only dothey strengthen your teeth and take away discomfort, but they also look fantastic. We hope our dental crown guide has helped you feel confident about choosing the right crowns for your needs.

The team at Healthy Happy Smile is here to help you regain confidence in your smile!

Find out more about our dental crownservicesandmake an appointment to see one of our friendly dentists!