Dental Crowns:
Crowns are dental restorations otherwise known as "Caps" which are coverings that fit over the natural teeth. Crowns may be necessary because of broken down old fillings, fractured, chipped or sensitive teeth. Crowns are also used to improve the appearance of natural teeth that are malformed, malpositioned or discolored.
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.
Some of the Indications for a Crown Are:
-
A previously filled tooth where there now exists more filling than tooth. The existing tooth structure becomes weakened and can no longer support the filling.
-
Extensive damage by decay.
-
Discolorations and or compromised esthetics.
-
Fractures
-
Root Canal - After root canal, teeth tend to become brittle and may fracture. These teeth need to be protected by a crown.
-
Bridges - When missing teeth are replaced with a bridge, the adjacent teeth require crowns in order to support the tooth being replaced (called pontic)
Types of Dental Crowns:
Dental Crowns can be made of composite, metal, ceramic, or porcelain fused to metal. The type of crown utilized during your restoration will depend on your unique needs and goals, as well as the recommendation of your dentist.
Metal Crowns:
Although their metallic color makes them a poor choice for highly visible teeth, dental crowns made of metal can be an ideal option for repairing decayed or damaged back teeth.
All ceramic crowns are made of dental ceramic materials (zirconia,alumina). They create an extremely natural-looking appearance and are typically used on front teeth. The tooth-colored ceramic material is translucent, like the enamel of your natural teeth, and size and shade can be carefully matched to complement the rest of your smile. Modern ceramics may be used in the posterior region (back teeth).
Porcelain to Metal Crowns:
Dental Crowns made of porcelain fused to metal are stronger than all-ceramic versions. However, their metal shell may gives porcelain fused to metal crowns an opaque appearance (if done correctly and the artistic ability of the dental technician the patient should not see a difference between porcelain fused to metal or full porcelain crowns).
Gold Crowns:
Advantage: The preparation of a tooth for a gold 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.
Disadvantage: The biggest disadvantage to gold crowns is the
Porcelain Crowns:
Advantage: Porcelain crowns are considered to be the most aesthetically pleasing, as it is so easily matched in color to the surrounding teeth.
Porcelain Fused-to-Metal Crowns:
Advantage: Porcelain fused-to-metal crowns may have a very natural appearance.
Disadvantage: They have a metal substructure and require an opaque below the porcelain. 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 when it recedes with age. This can be avoided with consideration to the tooth preparation. Ask you dentist.
For Fitting a Crown at Least Two Appointments are Required:
During your first visit, the tooth is prepared for the crown, an impression of the tooth is taken, and a temporary crown is placed over the prepared tooth. At the subsequent visit, the temporary crown is removed and the final crown is fitted and adjusted and cemented into place.
The First Appointment:
The first visit begins by giving you a local anesthetic. Depending upon the type of local anesthetic used, you can expect to be numb for one to four hours. If your anesthesia should last longer, do not be concerned. Not everyone reacts to medication in the same manner. While you are numb, please be careful not to bite your lip or tongue.
Once you are numb, your dentist will prepare your tooth in a very specific way in order to maximize the retention and esthetics of your new restoration. After the tooth is fully prepared, a retraction cord is placed around the tooth which will push the gums away from the tooth in order to get impression material under the gum line.
Once the impression stage is completed, a temporary crown (or bridge if multiple teeth were involved) is placed on your tooth. These plastic (acrylic) restorations are placed on the teeth to protect them and the gum tissues between dental visits. A temporary medium is used to cement the temporary crown or bridge on your teeth or tooth.
There are a couple of additional facts you should know about regarding the care of your temporary crown:
-
Home care is extremely important while your temporary crown is in place. The health of your gum tissue and the success of your final treatment restoration depends upon it.
- Sometimes, even with meticulous care, temporary crowns or bridges may become loose between visits. If this should occur, please place the temporary crown or bridge back on your tooth immediately. Putting a drop of toothpaste in the temporary crown or bridge will very often increase the retention and may hold the temporary in place until the next appointment if not contact your dentist immediately.
The Second Appointment:
At that time, the temporary crown is removed followed with the removal of the temporary cement form the prepared tooth. Your dentist will fit the final crown, check for accuracy, adjust for any bite discrepancies and evaluate the esthetics. If all of these factors are acceptable and satisfying for you and the dentist, the crown is cemented to your tooth.
|
|
 This picture shows metal free porcelain crowns on the model (Image provided by Zahntchnique Miami,FL) |
 This picture shows metal free porcelain crowns on the model (Image provided by Zahntechnique Miami,FL) |
 Picture of a gold crown. (Image provided by Zahntechnique Miami FL) |
