A dental crown is recommended for more situations than most people expect, after a root canal, for a cracked tooth, for severe decay, for a broken tooth, and sometimes just for appearance. And every time, the patient sitting across from the dentist has roughly the same reaction. They nod, they agree to the treatment plan, and then they go home and spend the evening trying to find out what a dental crown actually is and why they need one. This blog answers that clearly, without making it more complicated than it needs to be.
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a cap-like structure that is placed on the tooth, which is custom-made cap that is placed on the damaged or root canal-treated tooth. It is made into a shape that is similar to the tooth on which it is placed. It is placed with the help of the cement so that it is fixed to the teeth tightly. It restores the structure, appearance and function of the teeth. You can eat everything as usual and can brush normally.
It doesn’t reverse the damage of the tooth, but it will protect the leftover structure of the teeth from further damage. Dental crowns are also placed on top of dental implants, where there’s no natural tooth underneath at all.
When should you need a dental crown?
After a root canal: A tooth that’s had its inner pulp removed is structurally weaker than it was before. This root canal treated tooth can easily fracture, as it can’t even resist the pressure generated during eating food. So, to protect it from fracturing, a dental crown is placed on top of it.
Cracked tooth: The problem with a cracked tooth is that the pain comes and goes, which is exactly why people delay. But a crack grows bigger and bigger as you delay, and then one day the crack reaches the root. So, if the dental crown is placed over a cracked tooth as soon as possible, apart from protection, it also binds the cracked parts together and stops the progression.
Severe decay: When a cavity is too large for filling, it can’t be fixed, the dental crown is the most stable option. It covers the entire tooth and replaces the lost structure and function of the tooth.
A badly broken tooth: If your tooth is broken due to any reason, where the root is healthy but the crown is broken, placing the dental crown is the best option as it preserves the root strucure of the tooth.
Worn-down teeth: Some people have the habit of grinding their teeth while sleeping at night. This wears out the tooth structure. Dental crowns can be used to replace that worn-out structure. It doesn’t eliminate the habit but protects the tooth from further damage. You should use a nightguard to eliminate the habit.
appearance: Some teeth get discolored so severely that teeth whitening will not be able to whiten them. And these discolored teeth can affect the look of your smile, making you feel insecure while smiling. In this case, a dental crown can cover the entire tooth and enhance the look of the tooth and the smile also.
What are the types of dental crowns?
Metal dental crowns: This is the oldest type of dental crowns. They are made of different types of metal. They are very strong, so that they can handle bite pressure from the back teeth for decades without cracking or chipping. But they have a metallic color, which affects the aesthetics of the smile. They are best recommended for back teeth, which nobody sees but are constantly under pressure.
Porcelain fused to metal dental crowns (PFM): These dental crowns have a metal core with porcelain layered on top. They’ve been around for decades and are working quite well. But it can affect the gums slightly, resulting in the formation of a thin, dark grey line at the gumline. For back teeth where aesthetics matter less, it is still a great option.
All ceramic dental crowns: These are used mainly for front teeth, where appearance is the priority. They look very similar to natural teeth. But they are not strong enough to withstand all the forces provided by the back tooth; they are recommended for front teeth due to their natural aesthetics.
Zirconia dental crowns are the best type of dental crowns in dentistry at present. They are made of Zirconia, which is the strongest material used to prepare dental crowns. Apart from strength, they are so natural looking that they replicate the appearance of the natural tooth the most. It doesn’t form any grey gum lines, like metal ones, so it is considered the best type of dental crowns available.
The dental clinics which are tied up with the innovative labs like Illusion Dental Lab provide high quality zirconia dental crowns.
Temporary dental crowns: These are made of acrylic, composite, or any other material. They are used to replace the structure and function of teeth, for a short period of time, when the permanent dental crown is being made. You can use them for no more than two weeks.
One last thing
Dental crowns have been around for a long time, and the procedure to place them is very simple. And with materials like zirconia, the dental crowns look and last far better than what was available fifteen years ago. The procedure itself is comfortable, done over one or two appointments, and once the dental crown is placed, it just becomes a part of your mouth. Most patients stop noticing it within days. So, if a dentist has told you that you need one, then you should take it seriously rather than delay it for later.
