Questions you Should Ask Your Dentist About your Dental Restoration
By: Manny Chopra, BDS, DMD, FADI, FICD
Dental Crowns (Caps)
As we age, many of us find ourselves with teeth that are no longer structurally sound. Root canals, lost fillings, decay below a filling, chipping and cracking of the enamel are all things that can lead to large scale defects in a tooth’s surface. When more than one cusp of a tooth breaks, on a tooth with a root canal or an intact tooth, a crown may be required to give support to the remaining tooth structure.
Grinding your teeth, an improper bite, age, fillings and tooth decay can all be contributing factors in the wearing down, cracking or breakage of your teeth. Dental crowns cover the entire visible surface of your affected tooth and add strength, durability and tooth stability.
How is a Crown made for my tooth?
After your dentist has anesthetized the tooth, he will grind and shape the tooth, then make an impression of the tooth and then send the impression to a quality dental laboratory to fabricate the crown. You will leave the office with a temporary crown to wear while the permanent crown is being made – this takes about two weeks. When the crown comes back from the lab, after checking the fit, contacts, bite and color, your dentist will then cement the crown onto your tooth. Typically, only two visits are required for this part of the procedure. Often, if your tooth is badly broken down, the tooth may need a buildup prior to starting the crown this provides a stable foundation for the new crown. Tooth crowns typically last for 8-12 years, if not longer.
What types of crowns are available?
There are basically three types of crowns, those made of metal (gold based, all metal, and stainless steel), ceramic crowns and metal ceramic crowns. Gold and metal-ceramic crowns are extremely durable and are normally used on your back molars, where the forces from chewing and grinding are heavier. Ceramic crowns were used primarily for front teeth, since they can best resemble the natural tooth color. With newer
ceramic technology, we are now placing all ceramic crowns on back teeth, as they can provide the same strength and durability of a metal-based crown.
All Ceramic/Resin Crown
The new reinforced resin or bonded all-porcelain type of crown has the nicest appearance. This crown can be made from pure ceramic or a new reinforced composite resin, and is almost indistinguishable from natural teeth. The newer bonding techniques currently available provide an exceptional bond to your tooth. This is metal-free option, and may be preferred by someone allergic to certain metal alloys.
Metal Crowns
Gold or base metal crowns are appropriate when appearance is not a priority to you. The gold metal is extremely workable making gold crowns a more precise fit than any other type. There is no risk for chipping of the porcelain in this option.
Porcelain and Metal (Metal Ceramic) Crowns
These types of crowns are the typical crown which most people currently receive. Here, a metal substructure is first fabricated, then porcelain is baked on the metal to provide for natural esthetics. These crowns come in a variety of shade combinations. Because of the underlying metal this can make the translucency of natural teeth difficult to replicate. Occasionally a darker line will be visible at the edge of the crown, near to your gum if it recedes with age.
Which type of crown is best for me?
Tooth crowns, in general, add a good deal of strength to weakened or worn teeth. Depending on your habits and the condition of your gums, there can be some drawbacks. Your dentist will advise which is best for you, given many factors, including how important appearance is to you. The following are the advantages and disadvantages of the most common crown types.
Metal Crowns
Advantage: The preparation of a tooth for a metal crown is the simplest and least complicated preparation as there is minimal tooth structure removal with as much as possible of the healthy tooth structure remaining untouched. While porcelain is hard by comparison, it may cause wear on opposing teeth over the years where gold is not as likely to do so. Gold is also easier to fit to the area where the tooth and crown meet for a better fit. Gold is also a healthier environment for the gum tissue.
Disadvantage: The biggest disadvantage to gold crowns is the cosmetic aspect, unless it is being used in the back of your mouth.
Porcelain Crowns
Advantage: Porcelain crowns or new reinforced resin are considered to be the most aesthetically pleasing, as it is so easily matched in color to the surrounding teeth.
Disadvantage: The thickness of the porcelain required for pleasing aesthetics also requires that more tooth structure needs to be removed. Gingival inflammation occasionally appears to be more common with porcelain crowns than gold crowns.
Metal Ceramic Crowns
Advantage: Porcelain fused-to-metal crowns have a very natural appearance.
Disadvantage: They have a metal substructure and require an opaque layer of porcelain to mask the metal color. This can make the translucency of natural teeth difficult to replicate. Occasionally a darker line will be visible at the edge of the crown, near to your gum if it recedes with age.
This article is intended to provide you with some crown options to consider, however, everyone’s situation and needs are different, please discuss these in greater detail with your dentist. Please make sure that you fully understand the choices available to you, and that all of your questions get addressed.
Dr. Manish Chopra of Cincinnati, Ohio is a prosthodontist in private practice. He serves as a dentist for military personnel at Complete Mobile Dentistry/Logistics Health International and as a volunteer dentist at Good Samaritan Hospital Free Health Center. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Government Dental College and Hospital, his DMD degree from Washington University, and his Certificate in Prosthodontics from Indiana University School of Dentistry.
Dr. Chopra is a past president of the Cincinnati Dental Society, current member of the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Dental Practice, treasurer for the Ohio Dental Association (ODA), current chair of the ODA’s Council on Dental Care Programs and Dental Practice, and current trustee on the ODA Foundation Board of Trustees. He is a fellow of the International College of Dentists, American College of Dentists, and Academy of Dentistry International.
It’s fantastic to learn that a porcelain type of dental crown has the nicest appearance. My wife is wanting to take better care of her oral health and she was wondering what kind of dental crown would look the best with her teeth. I’ll be sure to tell her that she should look into getting a porcelain type of dental crown.
It’s good to know that it takes about two weeks to make a permanent dental crown. My brother lost a part of his tooth while eating candy during a movie last night. I’ll tell him about getting a permanent crown but that’ll take him about two weeks to get it.
That’s cool that porcelain crowns will be hard to tell apart from actual teeth. I like the idea of getting crowns that won’t look like metal or anything, so that sounds good. I’ll have to take a look into that if I need a crown placed on one of my teeth in the future.
Wow, I had no idea that to prepare to have a metal crown the process will be the simplest and least complicated out of all of them. When I was younger I was in a bike accident and some of my teeth were damaged. I decided now that it would be a good idea to see a dentist and figure out what options would be available to restore my smile and keep a healthy mouth.
Thank you for telling me that grinding my teeth on a regular basis can result in tooth breakage. My sister recently told me that she hears me grinding my teeth every night when we were younger and it might be the reason why I’m experiencing toothache often. It might be better to consult a dentist and see if I’m in need of custom prosthetics.
One of the best ways you can be proactive about your oral health is to engage with your dentist at your next teeth cleaning exam. They will be happy to have a more in depth discussion with you about your oral health beyond, “see you in six months!” thanks for these questions to get know before a dental restoration!! I never thought will get to visit this Whiteningco.nz oh, has some nice content for everyone
It’s valuable that you point out that a dental crown can be used to restore a damaged tooth. I broke one of my front teeth while I was ice-skating last week, so I’m considering going to a dentist to get a crown for it. I’m going to look for a good dentist in my area who does crowns.
It’s awesome that you mention that a dental crown can help fix a cracked tooth. My sister cracked a tooth while she was ice-skating last night, so I’m considering recommending that she go to a dentist to get a dental crown. I’m going to search for a good dentist who does crowns in the area to recommend.
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It’s awesome that you mention that a dental crown can help repair a broken tooth. I chipped one of my teeth when I cracked my skateboard yesterday, so I’m thinking about going to a dentist soon to get a crown. I’m going to look for a good dentist in my area that does dental crowns.
I didn’t know that the least complicated preparation is a metal crown. My brother was told he might need a crown. I’ll tell him that it doesn’t take long and it will be beneficial to him for the rest of his life.
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Your explanation that a dental crown can help repair a damaged tooth is fantastic.
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Great information. Thanks for sharing
Great article on dental restoration. I love how you explained the different types of crowns available. But among the three, which is the most long-lasting?
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It’s interesting to know that dental crowns can also be made out of metal materials. I plan to look for a good dental restoration service because I’m thinking about focusing more on my health moving forward. As such, it would be bad to keep on neglecting my oral health most especially.
This informative article on dental crowns provides a detailed overview of available options and considerations for patients. Dr. Chopra’s expertise adds credibility to the discussion. The comprehensive breakdown of crown types and their advantages helps readers make informed decisions about their dental care. Thank you for sharing this valuable information.