Dental Crowns

What are dental crowns?

A dental crown is a cap shaped like, and placed over, a tooth. A crown covers the entire portion of the tooth that can be seen above the gum line. The visible part of the tooth (the part above the gumline) is referred to as the crown of the tooth. Crowns are used for various reasons, including:

• Improving the tooth’s appearance (cosmetics), used on a malformed or severely discolored tooth.
• Restoring a tooth’s shape.
• Restoring a tooth’s size.
• Protecting an already decayed tooth from further decay.
• Cementing a dental bridge in place.
• Prevent a cracked tooth from further cracking.
• To protect a tooth with an extremely large filling.

In children crowns are used for slightly different reasons:

• Save a severely decayed tooth.
• Protect teeth from decay (children often have a harder time maintaining good oral hygiene).
• Protect a tooth or teeth so that anesthesia is not needed. Children have a harder time with oral surgery and coping with anesthetic drugs.

What are dental crowns made from?

Metal crowns

Stainless steel

These are typically non-permanent crowns, and they are used to protect a tooth while a permanent crown is prepared. With children, a stainless steel crown prevents further decay but is comes out with the whole tooth when removed. They are good solutions for children because they don’t require multiple dental visits and are cheaper than custom-made crowns or crowns made from other materials.

Base-metal alloy and gold alloy

Various metals and alloys can be used as crowns. They often have a high content of gold, platinum, or base metal alloys. Base metal alloys are often cobalt, chromium, palladium, nickel, and silver. These metals don’t have negative effects and they reinforce the crown, making it more resistant to chewing forces and corrosion.

All-ceramic/ all-porcelain

Ceramic and porcelain are a great match for the natural color of teeth. They are also the go-to for people who have metal allergies. However, they aren’t as strong as some crowns. Conversely, they can wear down the teeth that they touch when the mouth is closed. Because of their properties, these crowns are a good pick for front tooth crowns. These crowns are frequently made from lithium-disilicate.

Pressed ceramic

These are similar to the all-ceramic crowns, but with a hard inner core instead of a metal inner liner. They are longer-lasting than an all-porcelain or all ceramic crown, and a good match for the natural color of teeth.

All-resin

These crowns are made from a hardened resin, which is less expensive than other crowns, but prone to wearing down over time.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal

These feature a more natural tooth color. However, they have several drawbacks. Among them are that the porcelain sometimes wears down and the color of the metal shows through. The porcelain can also break off in small chips and the underlying metal will then rub against the tooth opposite it, damaging that tooth. However, they are a well-rounded crown choice that will work for back and front teeth. These crowns are often made from porcelain veneered zirconia.

Types of crowns

One-day crown

This type of crown uses computer technology to image the inside of your mouth and make a fitting crown on the same day. The dentist puts a small camera inside the mouth, which records the shape of the tooth to be capped, the nearby and opposing teeth, and how you bite down. The video process takes about 3 minutes. Afterwards, the dentist uses the video data to develop a fitting crown with CAD (computer aided drawing). The entire process usually takes under 2 hours.

Temporary

This is a tooth-shaped cap that you wear while your permanent crown is being prepared. It is usually made from an acrylic based material or a metal. Although it may match your tooth color quite well, it probably won’t fit as well as the standard crown.

Onlay, or 3/4 crowns

These crowns don’t cover the full tooth. They only cover the majority (usually about 75%) of the crown of the tooth.

Standard crown

First, you must go to the dentist for an examination. There a combination of x-ray measurements and an impression of the tooth with foam will give a lab the info needed to make a crown the right size. Additionally, the dentist may file the tooth down to better fit the crown.

After this first dental visit, you will wait anywhere from 1-3 weeks for shipping and construction of the new crown. When the crown is complete, you will have it permanently installed on the tooth. It will be cemented in place during the procedure, and you may receive anesthetic.

Dental Crown Services in Carrollton Texas

If you think you may need a crown, or you just have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. Josey Lane Dentistry has been faithfully serving Carrollton and the surrounding area for nearly two decades. Our services include preventative and restorative dentistry, as well as cosmetic procedures. Get your crown done properly, with the best quality and care.