Dental crowns are like a crown of protection for teeth damaged by decay or injury. They provide an extra layer of defence for weaker teeth and can help restore them to their original strength and stability.
As such, it is essential to understand what dental crowns are and their various benefits to make informed decisions about oral health care. This article provides an overview of dental crowns, including types available, who may need them, how long they last, how to care for them, potential complications related to their use, and alternatives. You might also be interested in learning how long do dentals crowns procedure take.
Types of Dental Crowns
Different materials can be used to construct a dental crown, such as metal alloys, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and all-ceramic crowns or all-porcelain. Metal crowns are typically made of gold alloy or base metal alloy metals such as chrome cobalt. These strong and durable crowns last many years with proper care.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns offer a natural tooth colour combined with the strength of the underlying metal substrate. They do not show dark lines at the gum line like other crowns.
All ceramic or all-porcelain crowns provide an even more natural look because they mimic natural teeth’ light-reflecting properties better than other restorations. Resin and zirconia crowns are newer forms of material used for dental crown procedures and offer strength and aesthetics in differing ways depending on the case.
The type of crown chosen for any particular patient depends on several factors, including cost, location in the mouth, function and esthetics desired by the patient.
Stainless steel is the least expensive and the least aesthetic choice available; however, it is often used as a temporary restoration while waiting for laboratory-fabricated ones to be created. PFM’s offer good durability, aesthetics, and price point compared to full ceramic restorations, which typically cost more due to their labour-intensive fabrication process. Still, they can often be worth it if you want a truly great result that looks completely natural.
Lastly, all ceramic or zirconia or resin crowns have become increasingly popular over the past few years due to technological advancements, making them stronger than ever while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of teeth when properly crafted for each patient’s needs. Dental cement will then be chosen based on the type of material being placed to create an optimal bond between tooth structure and final restoration. Hence, it lasts long-term without needing a crown replacement anytime soon after placement.
With today’s modern materials and techniques, patients have more options than ever when considering a dental crown procedure allowing them greater control over how they would like their smile restored aesthetically using what best fits into their budget constraints, too, if needed! Moving on to discussing further benefits offered by these different types of crowns.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Utilising dental crowns can provide a range of advantages. From restoring the natural look and feel of the tooth to providing strength and stability, dental crowns have many benefits:
- Dental crowns help protect weakened teeth from further damage or tooth decay. They reinforce a weak tooth by covering it with a strong material like ceramic, porcelain, gold, or metal alloys.
- Dental crowns can fill gaps between teeth or replace missing teeth altogether. This helps restore balance in the mouth and prevents the shifting of other teeth. It also improves your smile’s aesthetics.
- Dental crowns are typically recommended for those needing root canal therapy to protect the treated tooth from breaking down further due to biting forces and oral bacteria.
Dental crowns offer various benefits for different types of restorations, such as filling cavities, bridging gaps between teeth, protecting weakened enamel after root canal therapy, and replacing missing teeth altogether.
Furthermore, same-day crown technology allows patients to receive custom-made crowns during a single visit. This significantly reduces recovery time compared to traditional dental visits that require multiple steps, such as creating temporary restorations over a couple of weeks before receiving the final product.
With advances in technology making treatments more efficient, dental crowns are an increasingly popular choice for those looking for long-lasting solutions for their natural tooth problems.
Who Needs a Dental Crown?
Approximately 60% of adults aged 20-64 have had at least one dental crown, making it a commonly utilised treatment for various tooth issues.
A dental crown is usually recommended when a weak tooth needs to be restored. A decayed tooth requires covering, or a dental bridge needs support.
Prepared teeth may also require a crown to protect the remaining natural tooth structure and provide an improved chewing surface.
In the primary dentition, i.e., teeth present before the age of 6 years, dental crowns can help restore an entire tooth that is severely damaged due to trauma or decay that cannot be repaired by filling materials. Dental crowns can also be used to improve the appearance of the natural tooth colour and shape and close gaps between teeth.
Dental crowns are customised for each patient based on size, shape and colour so they fit perfectly into their mouth and look natural, like their own teeth.
It is essential to understand how long these treatments typically last to make informed decisions about oral healthcare options available for your situation.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
On average, a dental crown typically lasts for about 10 to 15 years with proper care and maintenance.
There are two types of crowns: the temporary crown and the permanent crown; the first is used for a short period of time while waiting for the permanent crown to be made, while the latter is cemented into place by your dentist.
Permanent crowns can be made from metal alloys, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), ceramic or composite resin; they can also be used with other treatments like dental implant placement or root canal treatment.
The lifespan of your dental crown will depend on several factors, like the type of material it’s made from, how well you take special care of it, and how much wear it must endure due to chewing function.
For example, metal alloy crowns tend to last longer than those made from ceramic or composite resin due to their ability to withstand the more significant force; however, they may not look as natural as those made from porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) or ceramic materials.
When cared for properly and given adequate attention, your tooth structure will remain intact with its new cover over time; this means regular brushing twice daily using fluoride toothpaste and flossing once daily.
You must also visit your dentist regularly for checkups so any problems with the crown can be identified early on before they become more severe issues down the line.
With good oral hygiene habits and professional attention when needed, you can extend the life expectancy of your new dental crown even further.
Caring for Your Dental Crowns
Proper care and maintenance of dental crowns are essential to ensure their longevity. Dental crowns are permanent teeth that are a strong, permanent option for restoring broken, decayed, or otherwise damaged tooth shape and structure. They can also be used cosmetically to improve the appearance of your smile.
To ensure the best results from your dental crown treatment procedure, it’s essential to follow these guidelines:
- Before Placement: Before dental crown placement, it’s essential to practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly. Additionally, you will need sufficient tooth structure above the gum line for your dental professional to place a custom crown securely.
- During Placement: During dental crown services placement, ensure you keep your mouth clean with regular brushing and flossing. It’s essential not to miss any appointments with your dentist or hygienist during this time. Doing so will help avoid potential problems related to bacterial infections or tooth decay around the crown margin area.
- After Placement: After placing a dental alloy (metal) crown, try not to grind or clench your teeth together too much since this could damage the crown material over time. Also, practice good oral hygiene habits such as brushing twice daily with ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once daily between each tooth surface. This will help prevent any future issues around the margins of your restored tooth due to bacteria build-up or food particles stuck along the gum line area.
These simple tips can help protect against common complications associated with dental crowns and provide peace of mind knowing that you’re taking proper care of your investment in a beautiful smile!
Common Complications
While dental crowns may be a strong and permanent option for restoring teeth, certain complications could still arise if not properly cared for.
One such complication is the risk of infection. If bacteria become lodged in the gum line around your crown, it can cause an infection, resulting in pain and swelling of the gums.
Additionally, a loose crown can happen over time due to wear-and-tear or poor fitting of the crown itself. This can lead to further damage to your tooth or gums and cold sensitivity if the exposed areas are left untreated.
Furthermore, discoloured or discoloured teeth are another common issue with dental crowns since porcelain materials used in their construction do not always perfectly match your natural teeth’ colouration. In some cases where this is a concern, temporary tooth cement and restorations may help ensure proper fitment. At the same time, waiting periods between dental appointments allow time for porcelain materials to acquire a more natural appearance once fitted permanently onto your tooth. However, even with these precautions, there is still no guarantee that you may experience any form of discolouration with your new dental crown.
As such, it is essential to consider all potential risks before permanently installing one on your mouth. When opting for a dental restoration solution, you must weigh all potential risks associated with each method to decide what will best suit you and your needs going forward.
Alternatives to Dental Crowns
Alternative dental restoration solutions exist to address the varying needs of patients seeking to repair or improve their oral health. For those who are not suitable candidates for a dental crown or, in some cases, are looking for an alternative option, different treatments can be assessed and discussed during a patient’s appointment.
Some common options or alternatives to crowns include:
- Dental Filling: A filling is used to fill cavities with a material such as amalgam (silver), composite resin, gold, etc., depending on the size and location of the cavity. These custom-made materials provide long-term durability and can often be an alternative treatment option to more expensive permanent restorations.
- Porcelain Veneer: This treatment involves placing a thin layer of porcelain over the teeth’s surface to improve overall appearance while providing strength and durability. It is also possible for veneers to be used instead of crowns when restoring broken or chipped teeth.
- All-Metal Crowns: While all-metal crowns may not be the most aesthetically pleasing option, they offer one of the highest levels of durability of metal among all dental restorations due to being made from metal such as stainless steel or gold alloy. This makes them an attractive alternative option for people whose primary concern is longevity rather than aesthetics regarding their smile.
When considering which type of restoration solution best meets your needs, it is essential to discuss your particular situation with your dentist so they can provide you with a cost comparison table outlining all available options and associated risks and benefits. With careful consideration and dialogue between you and your dentist, you can develop a treatment plan that suits your aesthetic goals and financial needs.
Key Takeaways
Dental crowns are an effective way to restore the strength and appearance of a damaged tooth.
On average, dental crowns last between five and fifteen years with proper care against decay.
With that in mind, practising good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings is essential to ensure your dental crown lasts as long as possible.
It is also important to note that alternatives such as veneers or bonding may be more suitable for some depending on their specific needs.
Overall, dental crowns offer many benefits, including improved appearance and strength, which makes them a pleasing option for addressing damaged teeth.
If you are looking for a reliable and experienced dentist to restore your damaged tooth with a dental crown, look no further than Aspendale Gardens Dental Care. We are located in Aspendale Gardens, VIC, Australia, and offer professional and comprehensive dental care services to ensure your dental health and well-being. Contact us today and see how we can help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile!
