What Are Dental Crowns and Are They Effective?

What Are Dental Crowns?

They are tooth-shaped caps that cover a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its shape, strength, and function. Dental crowns near you feature materials like porcelain, ceramic, or metal. They mimic the appearance of a natural tooth. Therefore, tooth-colored dental crowns featuring porcelain are more popular than their counterparts.

Why Are Dental Crowns Used?

Dentists in Winter Springs use dental crowns to achieve various modifications, particularly regarding reinforcing strength, optimizing function, and improving aesthetics. Some of the reasons you may need a dental crown include:

1. Tooth decay: Extensive decay necessitates a crown to restore the tooth’s structure to prevent extraction or premature loss.
2. Cracked or fractured teeth: A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth will benefit from restoration with a crown to protect the tooth structure and prevent further damage.
3. Large fillings: After restoring your tooth with a dental filling, it may be too large a restoration that it weakens it. In many dental clinics near you, a crown will support the dental filling while reinforcing the tooth’s strength after treatment.
4. Root canal treatment: After a root canal, the treated tooth weakens. Therefore, a dentist near you may recommend placing a crown over it to protect and restore its function.
5. Cosmetic purposes: Dental crowns can sometimes improve the appearance of misshapen, discolored, or worn-down teeth, usually as alternatives to dental veneers.
6. Dental implant restoration: Crowns cover dental implants to complete the tooth replacement treatment.

What Are the Types of Dental Crowns?

Several types of dental crowns are available in a dentist’s office near you, each with advantages and disadvantages. They include:

1. Porcelain crowns – feature a ceramic material closely resembling natural teeth’ color and texture. Porcelain crowns are highly aesthetic and perfect for restoring the front teeth. However, they are also ideal for back teeth as they are strong and durable. Porcelain is also praised for being highly resistant to stains and wear and tear.
2. Metal crowns – feature materials such as gold, silver, or other metal alloys. These crowns are highly durable and long lasting, perfect for restoring the back teeth. However, they are not as aesthetically pleasing as porcelain or ceramic crowns. Therefore, they may not be your go-to for restoring the front teeth.
3. Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns – feature a combination of porcelain and metal. Usually, PFM crowns have the metallic component as the base, lining the porcelain as the exterior. The metal provides strength and durability, while the porcelain provides a natural-looking appearance.
4. Resin crowns – are characterized by a tooth-colored material called composite, an alternative to porcelain crowns. However, they are not as durable.

If you have no idea which type is the best for you, liaise with our dental team at 434 Dentistry – Dr. Fabiola Camacho DDS. Usually, the best crown will depend on several factors, including the location of the tooth, the extent of damage, and your personal preferences.

How Are the Crowns Fixed?

During the first visit, the dentist prepares the tooth by removing any decay or damage and shaping it to fit the crown. Removal entails drilling the tooth to shave off part of the enamel.

Afterward, the dentist will take an impression of the prepared tooth and send it to a dental lab. It is the place where the crown will be custom-made to fit your tooth precisely. Meanwhile, Dr. Fabiola Camacho will place a temporary crown on the tooth to protect it until your permanent crown is ready for installation.

During the second visit, the dentist removes the temporary crown to replace it with the permanent one. Dental cement helps bond to your natural tooth, with lasers to cure it and strengthen the bond. The dentist will then check the fit and bite of the crown to ensure it is comfortable and functioning properly before discharging you from the dental clinic.

How Much Teeth Structure Is Required?

The amount of tooth structure necessary for a dental crown depends on the type of crown and the extent of the damage. Ideally, the more damage in your tooth, the more enamel you will lose. Otherwise, the dentist only needs to prepare your tooth enough to create space for a dental crown.

The type of crown further necessitates the extent of preparation. For example, porcelain and resin crowns require less tooth structure removal compared to metal or PFM crowns.

Final Thoughts

Dental crowns have been used for many years in dentistry because they repair and restore teeth. They optimize your oral function all while elevating your aesthetics.