A crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth — to cover the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and improve its appearance. The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.
Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or both. Porcelain crowns are most often preferred because they mimic the translucency of natural teeth and are very strong.
Dental Crown Procedure
Crowns or onlays (partial crowns) are needed when there is insufficient tooth strength remaining to hold a filling. Unlike fillings, for which the restorative material is applied directly to the tooth, a crown is fabricated in a dental laboratory.
Your crown is created based on an impression of your tooth which allows a dental laboratory technician to examine all aspects of your bite and jaw movements. Your crown is then sculpted just for you so that your bite and jaw movements function normally once the crown is placed.
Before placing a crown, our dentist in Lake Ridge, VA, may first have to remove decay or old fillings. After the tooth is prepared, the crown is cemented over your prepared tooth.
Crowns are sometimes confused with veneers, but they are quite different. Veneers are typically only applied to the part of the tooth that is visible while a crown covers the entire tooth. Crowns can be an effective solution to strengthen the core structure of your tooth.
What Are the Most Common Types of Crowns?
- Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns are a popular option due to their natural look and aesthetic appeal. They are also very durable and stain-resistant. Porcelain crowns can be made from only porcelain or a mix of metal and porcelain.
- Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia crowns are made from a strong ceramic material. They are known for being extremely durable and long-lasting. Zirconia crowns are also known for their natural look.
- Gold Crowns
Gold alloy crowns are made from a combination of gold and other metals. These crowns are very strong and durable. They are also highly resistant to corrosion.
- Metal Crowns
Metal crowns are made from a metal alloy such as nickel or chromium. These crowns are very strong and durable. However, they are not as aesthetically pleasing as other types of crowns.
- Ceramic Crowns
Ceramic crowns are made from a material that is similar to porcelain. They are strong and durable, but they are not as strong as zirconia crowns.
- Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal Crowns
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are made from porcelain that is fused to a metal base. This type of crown is stronger than all-porcelain crowns but not as durable as zirconia crowns.
What Are The Advantages of Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns have many advantages, including:
- Restoring the appearance and function of damaged teeth
- Strengthening weak or decayed teeth
- Improving the appearance of discolored or misshapen teeth
- Protecting a tooth from further damage
- Supporting a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth structure remaining
- Covering dental implants
- Anchoring a dental bridge
- Holding together parts of a cracked tooth
What Are Crowns Used For?
A crown is a cap that is placed over a tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. The crown is cemented in place over the visible portion of the tooth or on top of a dental implant.
Crowns can be made from a variety of materials including porcelain, gold, metal alloys, or a combination of these materials. Porcelain crowns are popular because they match the natural color of your teeth and are very strong and durable.
Dental crowns are used to repair teeth that have been broken, weakened by decay, or have a very large filling. Crowns are also used to anchor bridges, cover dental implants, and cover misshapen or severely discolored teeth.
Our dentist may recommend a crown to:
- Protect a weak tooth from breaking or hold together parts of a cracked tooth
- Restore a broken or worn tooth
- Cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t a lot of tooth left
- Hold a dental bridge in place
- Cover misshaped or severely discolored teeth
- Cover a dental implant
- Cover a tooth treated with root canal therapy
How Long Do Crowns Last?
On average, dental crowns last between five and 15 years. The life span of a crown depends on the amount of wear and tear the crown takes, how well you follow good oral hygiene practices, and your personal oral habits.
To help your crown last longer, avoid chewing on hard objects, such as ice or popcorn kernels. Also, if you grind your teeth at night, talk to our dentist about getting a mouthguard to protect your teeth. If you take good care of your crown, it can last many years.
At Pure Dental, we offer crowns that are designed to look natural and blend in with your smile. Our crowns are crafted from high-quality materials to ensure long-lasting results. To learn more, visit Pure Dental at 4565 Daisy Reid Ave. #210, Lake Ridge, VA 22192, or call (571) 285-2577.