Crown and Bridge
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a thin cover that fits over a tooth, to protect damaged tooth enamel. Dental crowns are shaped to look just like natural teeth – and they can be made the same color as natural teeth, as well.
This means that dental crowns can be hard to distinguish from natural teeth, and if you have a tooth-colored crown, no one will be able to tell. It’s important to get your dental crown installed by a professional, to ensure it will last as long as possible.
Who Needs Crowns?
Dental crowns can be used to restore the appearance and functionality of the tooth for patients who have had any one of the following:
- Tooth decay
- A cracked tooth
- A broken tooth
- A dental bridge (the crown can hold the bridge in place)
- Misshapen or discolored tooth
You may also need a crown if you’ve had a root canal, because during the root canal, your dentist will scoop out the infected part of the tooth and leave the thin outer parts of the tooth in place. This leaves the tooth weak and susceptible to breakage, but a crown can protect your tooth from that. Crowns are also used on dental implants to make the implant look as realistic as possible.
Crown Material Options
Crowns can be made from a variety of materials including:
Metal: A metal crown can be made from chromium, palladium, nickel and gold. Metal crowns are very strong and durable, unlikely to break, and can withstand harsh biting and chewing forces. Crowns made exclusively of metal don’t look natural, so some people choose not to get this kind of crown. Others like the look of metal – especially gold. Gold is also costly, which can be a deterrent.
Resin: Resin is more cheaply available than many other types of crown materials, however, resin can break down quickly compared to some other materials. If you get a resin crown, expect to replace it in a shorter period of time than some other materials.
Porcelain on Metal: One way to make a metal crown look more natural is to fuse porcelain to the metal. If the porcelain portion of the crown chips off over time, the metal may be exposed underneath. In addition, the line of the metal may appear near the gum line, giving this type of crown a dark outline around the bottom.
Ceramic or Porcelain: All-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns look just like natural teeth, with no metal showing. Unfortunately, ceramic and porcelain crowns aren’t as strong as the porcelain-fused metal products. These crowns are often used for front teeth, because they’re so easily matched to other teeth.
Bridges
Although still used in certain circumstances, 21st-century dental technology has reduced the need for bridges. However, this option is still useful when patients don’t have sufficient bone material to make dental implants a viable choice
Need Dental a Crowns or Bridge? Contact Us!
To get started with a consultation for a dental crown or bridge, talk to Paul R. Barrett DDS, PA today to learn more about whether a dental crowns or bridge is right for you.
