What are dental crowns?

Crowns for teeth are tooth-shaped caps that are cemented over broken teeth. When fillings aren't enough to save a tooth, a crown is used to cover it, protecting it while restoring its size, strength, and appearance. Crowns are caps that are cemented over a tooth's entire visible surface. They can be made from various materials, including metals, porcelain, resin, and ceramics. Over time, they need nothing more than routine, preventative dental care. Dental crowns such as onlays and crowns protect less of the natural tooth structure than full crowns. A more conservative approach may be warranted when sufficient tooth structure remains and the crown isn't necessary. Dr Patel will reshape the tooth in preparation for the crown by removing decay and restoring it.

When are dental crowns necessary?

You may need dental crowns for the following reasons:

• Prevention of further damage to a cracked or otherwise fragile tooth caused by decay
• Recreating a tooth that has been knocked out or severely worn down
• An extensive filling protects and supports a tooth when only a tiny portion of the natural tooth is left.
• Sustaining a dental bridge
• For masking extreme tooth discolouration or tooth loss
• Restoration of a dental implant
• Closing off a tooth that has had a root canal
• To alter one's appearance purely cosmetically
• Bruxism
• Bulimia
• Bulimia
• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)

What are the treatment options?

There are different types of crowns available, including:

• All-ceramic or all-porcelain dental crowns - These crowns provide a better natural colour match than any other and may be preferable for those with metal allergy concerns. An all-ceramic crown can be used on either the front or back teeth.
• All-resin dental crowns – You can save money by choosing these instead of other crown styles. On the downside, they degrade faster than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns and break more easily.
• Metals crowns – Crowns can be made from various materials, including precious metal alloys like gold and platinum or more common metals like nickel and silver. Metal crowns are the most durable because they can withstand the pressures caused by biting and chewing for the most extended time. Metal caps also tend to be more durable. The main drawback is the metallic colour and the high price of gold. Crowns made of metal are a good option for back teeth that no one ever notices.
• Permanent crowns - You can get these types of crowns in various materials, including ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal, resin, and stainless steel. Dental laboratories are the standard for producing long-lasting restorations like crowns.
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns - It's possible to have these crowns shade-matched to your natural teeth. However, as opposed to metal or resin crowns, these crowns cause more wear to the adjacent teeth. The porcelain of the crown can also break or chip. A porcelain-fused-to-metal crown is the next most natural-looking option to an all-ceramic crown. However, if your gums recede, a dark line may appear where the metal under the porcelain crown usually wouldn't be visible. These crowns can be used anywhere on the tooth, including the front and back, and they are beneficial for supporting long bridges.
• Stainless steel crowns - These crowns are used on permanent teeth as a short-term solution and are prefabricated. While a permanent crown is fabricated from a different material, the crown can serve as a temporary solution to protect the tooth or filling. Crowns made of stainless steel are frequently used to cover a primary tooth prepared for them. The crown is designed to shield the tooth to prevent further decay. The crown comes off with the primary tooth when extracted to make room for the permanent tooth.
• Temporary crowns - Your dentist's office can fabricate a temporary crown for you. Temporary crowns are a convenient solution for damaged teeth before a permanent crown can be fabricated and cemented into place.

How is my tooth prepared for a dental crown?

Two visits are usually necessary to prepare a tooth for a crown. The first visit is to examine and prepare the tooth, and the second is to place the permanent crown. A few X-rays are typically taken to examine the root of the tooth and the bone around it at the initial appointment. Crown placement may be delayed if a root canal procedure is required to remove the infected or damaged pulp.

Anaesthesia will be applied to your tooth and gum before the crown-making procedure begins. The tooth that is about to receive the crown has to have its chewing surface and sides reshaped. With different crowns, different amounts of tooth structure need to be removed. It may be necessary to add bulk to the crown with filling material if decay or damage to the tooth is extensive. As soon as the tooth has been reshaped to the desired form, a mould is made using a putty-like paste. A digital scanner can also be used to make impressions. The crown will not change the way you bite. While your custom crown is being fabricated, you will get a temporary crown over the prepared tooth to keep it looking and functioning normally. As soon as the permanent crown is in place, the temporary one can be removed.

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