What are Dental Crowns?
- Dental crowns are caps used by dentists that covers part or all of a tooth. They are used on teeth that have become:
- Extremely discolored
- Slightly dislodged
- Generally damaged.
Installing a dental crown will restore stability, strength and aesthetic appeal to the teeth to which they are applied.
Dental crowns are made of many different materials. The most common are:
- Stainless steel
- Metal fusions
There are two basic types of longevity to a dental crown:
- Temporary – these are less expensive and can be created and applied in your local dentists office.
- Permanent – will take longer to make, be more expensive and will require a dentistry lab for construction, but last longer.
What is the procedure involved in the application of a Crown?
Most dental crown appointments are fairly lengthy, even if they are only a temporary crown, and will usually require two different visits or more – more than two visits is very unlikely.
Step 1: The first crown visit will be when your dentist examines your tooth for stability and other crown related traits.
Step 2: If the dentist judges that the tooth is capable of supporting a crown the dentist will then the filing process. This is very similar to having your teeth drilled for fillings. They will commonly give you a numbing general anesthetic for the pain and set straight to work. This can take a long time and you should remain as still as possible while it is being done so that only the designated area is shaved down.
Step 3: Afterwards, a impression will be taken, if it is a permanent crown then the impression will be sent to a lab.
Step 4: After that, the crown will be cemented to the tooth or set of teeth and affixed.
Dental Crowns – Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What types of dental crown are there?
A1: There are three types of crowns. Ceramic, porcelain fused to metal and metal alloys.
Ceramic crowns are made of porcelain based filling materials, ideally used for restoring of the front teeth. This is because they can be colour blended with the natural teeth.
Porcelain fused to metal crowns is a hybrid between all metal and all ceramic crowns. They are considered as extremely durable.
Metal alloy crowns are of two types
Gold and Silver
Q2: How long should a dental crown last?
A2: With good care, dental crowns can last a long time. 90% of all well maintained crowns will not require treatment within five years. Between 50 to 80% of crowns will last up to 15 to 20 years.
Q3: What is the difference between gold crowns vs porcelain crowns?
A3: Gold crowns are used when cosmetic outlook is not in question. These are the strongest, last the longest and wear well. Porcelain crowns are less about strength and more about aesthetics. Their ability to blend in with natural teeth makes them an ideal choice for front teeth replacement. They are however susceptible to cracking under high pressure.
Q4: What types of Dental Crown are there?
A4: Bonded all porcelain, extra strength all porcelain and porcelain fused to metal.
Q5: Can a Root Canal be done through a Dental Crown?
A5: A root canal can be done through an existing crown if the crown is in good condition, has closed margins (edges), and there is no decay underneath the old crown. After the root canal treatment is completed, the hole in the crown will be patched up with a filling material. However, if the crown needs to be replaced, then the crown will be removed, all decay will be cleaned off, and the root canal treatment will be done. If insufficient tooth structure is left to support a crown, then a post will be necessary for the retention of a crown.
Q6: How much does a Dental Crown cost?
A6: The prices start from $599. Initial consultation worth $100 FREE. Conditions apply.