Types of dental Crowns
A dental crown is a type of cap that covers all or part of a tooth. They are generally used to rehabilitate badly damaged teeth and for esthetic reasons, as crowns help improve your smile.
Why Do I Need Dental Crowns? |
There are several types of crowns, each with a particular indication due to the material they are made of, It influences their resistance and aesthetics depending upon location.. However, in general terms, the following cases should be mentioned: |
Caries: a tooth with advanced caries will present destruction of a large part of its structure, weakening it to such an extent that it could begin to fracture little by little until it leaves only the dental root in the bone. For this reason, dental crowns act as protectors of the tooth structure. |
Stains: some diseases and habits can cause unaesthetic stains on the surface of teeth. Some can be removed with prophylaxis or whitening, but others are extremely difficult to disguise, so crowns can be placed on the external surfaces of these teeth to improve their aesthetics. |
Endodontics: certain teeth with large cavities may suffer from pulp involvement. This tooth will need a root canal treatment, leaving the tooth devitalized. It could begin to fracture, so the best reinforcement would be a crown over the tooth. |
Implants: Spaces in the dental arch due to tooth loss can be rehabilitated with devices called implants. These are mini metal screws inserted into the residual bone that serve as support and a core to place a crown and thus make the space functional. |
Fractures: it is common for patients who have bitten something hard at a meal or received a blow that caused the fracture of one or more teeth. Depending upon the severity of the incident, you can restore them with resins and, in other cases, with crowns. |
Bite: Did you know that according to studies by the World Health Organization, only 5% of the population has a perfect bite. The other 95% have problems with the bite and position of their teeth. The treatment for early ages is basically orthodontics; however, this does not work in adults, so crowns are ideal to achieve an efficient bite. |
In order for a tooth to wear a crown, regardless of the material, it must be prepared by a dentistto create space and not to disturb the balance of the oral cavity. Following the indications of the American Academy of Periodontology, a crown must not interfere with basic functions such as chewing and the articulation of words. ome steps to follow:
Many factors are important when choosing a crown: these will include cost, hardness, and durability. On the other hand, these materials must be approved by the American Dental Association. We know the types of dental crowns by the type of material used in their manufacture and each one will have specific properties and indications for each case.
These crowns are made entirely of metal:generally gold, silver, copper, or alloys such as cobalt-chromium or nickel-chromium.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Metal-porcelain or metal-ceramic crowns have a similar structure to metal crowns, but with an aesthetic porcelain covering. These crowns were developed due to aesthetic need without losing strength.
Advantages
They are recommended in teeth with great destruction of their structure and in cases of pontics, where missing teeth must be replaced.
Disadvantages
Also known as ceramic crowns, these are metal-free and the most widely used and well-known type of dental crown due to their natural appearance. Their translucency can resemble a tooth.
Advantages
Disadvantages
With the advancement of technology, new biocompatible materials with better properties have been developed for use as crowns. Zirconium is one of the newest materials in dentistry thanks to the introduction of CAD/CAM (digital design) laboratories, which w help to reduce working time.
Advantages
Disadvantages
One of the latest materials now used for the manufacture of dental crowns is currently gaining great popularity. It is considered to be the most reliable material, using CAD/CAM technology.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Once we have an idea of the different crown materials and the cases in which they can be used, it is necessary to know the cost. This will depend upon the material used for a crown’s manufacture; for example, a metal crown will have a relatively lower price than a metal-porcelain crown. In addition, the technology needed will be an issue. Remember that the installation of a crown is the last step of the rehabilitation process since a previous root canal treatment and a post will be needed. Sometimes only a reconstruction with resin of a part of the tooth provides the necessary support structure for the future crown. Here are the approximate prices per tooth:
· Metal Crowns: This type of crowns is the most economical, its cost can vary between $600 to $2000. This price range varies depending on the metal used in their fabrication.
· Metal-porcelain crowns: The price of these crowns can range from $600 to $1500.
· Full porcelain crowns: The cost ranges from $500 to $1500.
· Zirconia crowns – E-MAX crowns: like full porcelain crowns, they range in price from $500 to $1500.
Which One Should I Choose?
Depending upon the needs of the patient, your dentist will offer a choice between the best alternatives for the case. In selecting materials, he will consider the following factors:
· The color of the adjacent teeth
· The location of the tooth that needs the crown
· The function the tooth to be crowned will have to fulfill
· The size of the teeth
· The shape and position of the gums on the tooth in need of the crown and the neighboring teeth
· The amount of tooth structure that exists to support the future crown.
In addition, your dentist will listen to any preferences you may have since for some people, aesthetics will be more important, while others will want to regain the function they have lost. It is important to emphasize that economics will be a factor in making a decision. However, it should not be the main factor since the purpose of rehabilitating a tooth is to be comfortable, functional, and aesthetic, affording great satisfaction at the end of the treatment.
The duration of the crowns will depend on various factors, but the most important factor is dental hygiene. Brushing after meals and flossing will help prevent the accumulation of food debris between the tooth or crown and the gum. It is important to know that the accumulation of this debris over a long period of time could cause cavities in the neck of the tooth and the presence of a crown in that area without proper hygiene will increase the risk of plaque accumulation and therefore the risk of cavities.
On the other hand, various materials tend to lose their smooth and shiny surface over the years, so check-ups every 6 months are crucial to ensure that their useful life is not lost. During this consultation, your dentist will perform prophylactic treatments such as the cleaning and polishing of crowns.
Also, if your dentist diagnoses some kind of alteration in your occlusion, you should think about maintenance splints since it may show enough tightening to cause fracturing of crowns and natural teeth as well.
Contact Us
Depending upon each client’s need, there is a recommended type and material, with several types of crowns possible. Our specialists at Channel Island Family Dental seek to restore your smile to a natural appearance and help determine the best crown for your case.
If you need help contact us at Channel Island Family Dental, as well as on our Facebook page. At Channel Island Family Dental, we are always attentive to your needs to make a timely diagnosis. In addition, our dentists in Oxnard, Santa Paula, Newbury Park Ventura, and Port Hueneme will guide you to the best treatment to give you back your best smile.
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