Different Types of Crowns

posted byMuse Dental GroupDecember 15, 2021

Do you need a crown? If your teeth are badly decayed or damaged by cracks or debris, your dentist may advise you to fix them with crowns.

It allows the natural tooth root to stay in place, thus protecting the tooth's jawbone and other supporting structures.

There are different types of crowns made of different materials. Depending on the oral condition, different types of crowns can be used to restore the teeth’ appearance, natural shape, and function.

In this article, we will be discussing the following:

Types of crowns

There are five types of crowns to choose from.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns

The most common and bridge restoration materials are a mixture of porcelain and metal. When porcelain and metal are fused, the oxides and metal are chemically fused to form a lasting bond.

The molten metal porcelain crown is more robust than regular porcelain because a metal frame supports it. They are also in perfect harmony with the natural tooth shape, appearance, and function.

Zirconia-based porcelain crowns

Zirconia derived from metallic zirconium is a ceramic material. It can be white or transparent and can be easily dyed to match the color of the patient's teeth. That makes the zirconia abutment crown artistically attractive as a dental restoration.

Due to the nature of the metal, zirconia is so strong that the crown made of this material is fragile and can withstand the pressure of crushing and chewing.

Zirconia is used as the internal base of the porcelain crown. Due to the properties of zirconia ceramics and metals, this crown is durable and beautiful, making it ideal for people who are allergic to metals.

Stainless Steel Dental Crowns

Stainless steel crowns are mainly used to restore the root canal teeth of children and babies undergoing endodontic treatment. They will not last long and will be lost with the milk teeth.

Stainless steel crowns can also be used if provisional crowns are required between tooth preparation and permanent crown placement.

Gold crowns

The gold crown is copper and other metals (nickel and chrome). The foremost benefits of the Gold Crown are strength and durability.

When it comes to back repair, some dentists may recommend a gold crown as a first choice, depending on the needs of each patient. But because of its color and beauty, the golden crown is a less popular option today.

Advantages of Gold Crown:

  • They are strong and very resilient
  • If appropriately maintained, it can be used for a long time
  • Fewer natural teeth to be removed
  • Like natural enamel, it wears very slowly
  • Ideal for posterior teeth (posterior teeth), especially second molars

Drawbacks of the Gold Crown:

  • Unattractive: Obviously, they don't look like natural teeth
  • Gold crowns can affect some people and cause side effects such as allergic reactions and swelling

All-Resin Crowns

All resin restorations are cheaper than metal, gold, ceramic, and porcelain crowns.

However, dentists generally do not recommend resin crowns because they are more susceptible to rupture, wear and tear and do not last long.

Resin is a thinner and more brittle material than other dental restorations, for example, metal and porcelain. Resin restorations are used only on nasty deciduous teeth, not permanent teeth.

Learn more about things you should know before getting dental crowns.

When is a Dental Crown needed?

Forty million Americans (one-third of adults) need to replace one or more teeth.

Crowns are often used to restore:

  • Fragile Teeth: Crowns protect fragile teeth usually caused by severe decay
  • Cracked teeth: The crown fixes some cracked teeth and restores their natural shape, function, and appearance.
  • Worn teeth: Crowns repair broken or heavily worn teeth, usually caused by bruxism or dental erosion.
  • Large filling: The crown covers and supports the teeth with a large filling. Little tooth structure remains.
  • Tooth discoloration: If the tooth discoloration is severe, usually use a tooth-colored crown to cover the discoloration. Other options include veneer or tooth whitening.

Crowns also play an essential role in prosthetics and more invasive dental treatments such as root canals, bridges, and dental implants.

If you are looking to get front tooth crowns, choose wisely as our smile is the first facet that others notice in us.

How to choose a crown

There are different types of crowns in which dentists decide the crown for patient demands.

  • If the patient needs aesthetic restoration or has an adverse reaction to metal, the dentist recommends resin, porcelain teeth, or a zirconium crown.
  • Premolars should choose a gold crown or base metal crown
  • If dentists have access to state-of-the-art treatments, they can recommend zirconium crowns, which have the advantages of both metallic and non-metallic crowns.
  • Patients who require strong crowns should choose gold or base metal crowns
  • Patients who wish to combine the beauty of porcelain with the strength of metal should choose metal-based porcelain crowns
  • Patients who need a crown to secure a metal bridge should select a crown made of solid materials such as metal or zirconia.
  • Children who need to protect their deciduous teeth should wear stainless steel crowns.

How can I maintain my crowns?

Talk to your dentist if the crown is loose, missing, or misplaced. However, the crown can last a lifetime with proper dental health (the same oral hygiene habits used to keep teeth healthy), however, if the crown fell off you may need to seek immediate dental assistance.

However, our goal is not to need a crown, and you know how to do it—eating tooth-loving food, using dental floss, brushing teeth twice a day, and using a two-layer toothbrush—schedule regular checkups with your dentist.

Conclusion

Dental crowns are a long-term restorative treatment. It means that you have had a crown in your mouth for many years. You want to do it in the most professional and qualified way.

Therefore, if possible, when considering different types of crowns and costs, do not go directly to the cheapest dentist without analyzing your options. Evaluate all factors before making a decision.

Maybe you should spend a little more to ensure the results are excellent and long-term. Selecting only cheaper choices will reduce the quality of treatment, which means more money, more time, and more worry in the future.

Contact Muse Dental Group right now if you need any help with your dental health issue!

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