A dental crown is a cap that sits on top of a natural tooth or dental implant. They serve a wide range of functional and cosmetic purposes. They support weakened, damaged, and decayed teeth, cover the appearance of misshapen, broken, and discoloured teeth, help support bridges and other dental restorations, and more.
Dental crowns are placed by recontouring your natural teeth, and taking a mold of the area. This is used for a permanent crown to be made from. A temporary crown may be placed over the prepared tooth until the final one is ready. With same day crowns a temporary crown is not needed. Permanent dental crowns are then cemented on to secure them.
There are several different types, varying by their purpose and the material they are made of.
Types of Dental Crowns by Material
There is a wide range of dental crown material choices. The best dental crown material choice will depend on the purpose the crown is serving and how much pressure it will have to deal with. A porcelain crown may be chosen for a cosmetic crown to cover a misshapen tooth, but a gold crown may be preferred to support a back molar that is heavily damaged by tooth decay.
Metal Crowns
Metal crowns, such as stainless steel crowns and gold crowns are very durable and withstand heavy chewing and biting forces. They don’t chip as easily as porcelain or ceramic crowns, but they are expensive and less aesthetically pleasing.
Stainless steel crowns tend to be used only as temporary crowns. A gold crown is more likely to be chosen for a molar, as it is very sturdy, but not as aesthetic as a more discreet, tooth-coloured option.
Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns look most like natural teeth, with a natural-looking colour and translucent appearance. They are commonly used for cosmetic purposes and on front teeth that are very visible, and which tend to experience less wear and tear compared to molars. Porcelain crowns are less sturdy and chip resistant, compared to metal crowns.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns
Porcelain-fused-to-metal-crowns offer a cost-effective solution to support a weakened natural tooth. These dental crowns provide the strength of a metal crown and the natural look of a porcelain crown, although a slight ring of metal is visible.
Composite Resin Crowns
A composite resin crown is made of tooth-coloured resin materials. They are durable and cost-effective, and usually easier to repair if they become chipped. They also have the appearance of a natural tooth for a more discreet restoration.
Ceramic Dental Crowns
A ceramic crown is another very natural-looking dental crown. They can be colour matched to blend in with other teeth. They are not as durable as other options, so tend to be chosen for front teeth instead of molars. Newer material advancements are available that combine both aesthetics and strength.
Zirconia Crowns
A zirconia crown is the most durable option, usually preferred for molars as it combines a tooth coloured option with increased strength. There are newer ones coming out that are being combined with porcelain, to offer the combined benefits of both materials.
Types of Dental Crowns by Function
There are different types of dental crowns for the different purposes they serve.
Protection of Natural Teeth
A common use of a dental crown is to protect and strengthen a natural tooth that has been weakened by decay or trauma. The dental crown sits on top of the weakened tooth, to add support and prevent further damage.
It can prevent a heavily decayed tooth from crumbling under normal pressures, and stop a crack from spreading. This also helps reduce the risks of nerve damage in teeth. They are often used on teeth that have had a root canal treatment.
They help you chew more comfortably, because they take away some of the pressure on a vulnerable tooth, and reduce tooth sensitivity.
Dental crowns cost less than procedures that may be required if the tooth isn’t protected by a crown. Many dental insurance policies cover at least a portion of crowns used for necessary procedures.
Dental Implant Prosthetic Tooth
The artificial tooth portion of a dental implant is also called a crown. These dental crowns are affixed to the titanium post that is surgically inserted into the jaw to act as a tooth root. These dental crowns are available in the same materials as other crowns, although porcelain-fused-to-metal or gold crowns are usually chosen for their durability.
Supporting Bridges
If a patient has missing teeth and is having a dental bridge placed to replace those teeth, dental crowns are placed on the healthy teeth on either side of the gap. The bridge is then permanently affixed to these crowns. Not only does a crown allow for the bridge to be permanently affixed, but it also helps provide additional support to a healthy tooth to help it cope with the added forces it will experience when supporting a bridge.
Temporary Dental Crown
A temporary crown is simply one that is placed to protect your tooth while your permanent crown is being made.
Cosmetic Dental Treatments
Dental crowns may also be used for cosmetic purposes, to cover a misshapen or discoloured tooth.
For top-quality dental crowns in Erin Mills, rely on Onyx Dental. Our experienced team, located at 2555 Erin Centre Blvd Unit 12, Mississauga, ON L5M 5H1, is here to assist you. Contact us at (905) 567-4999, and let’s discuss the best options and create a customized treatment plan to support your oral health and cosmetic needs.
