What are dental crowns?

Dental crowns are tooth shaped caps that are fixed to teeth that became weak, cracked, decayed, or worn out to reinforce it. Dental professionals do this to restore the tooth size, shape and normal morphology . Metal, porcelain, ceramics, and resins can all be used to create dental crowns,with good maintenance crowns can endure up to 15 years.

Why would I need a dental crown?

The various causes of requiring a dental crown include:

➥ Preventing a weak tooth from fracture by covering the remaining tooth structure.

➥ Restore a badly damaged or fractured tooth.

➥ crown over dental implants.

➥ Support and shield a chipped tooth.

➥ firmly fix a dental bridge.

➥ Cover a tooth that is deeply discolored or stained and Esthetically unpleasant.

➥ Cover a tooth that has a root canal treatment.

What is dental caries, and does it happen to primary teeth?

Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or cavities, is the main disease that affects the teeth of any individual.

It’s caused by bacteria and microorganisms that produce acids that harm the enamel surface of the tooth. In simpler words, it’s the process by which sugars and a type of bacteria in the mouth can cause harmful effects on the three surfaces of the tooth, resulting in a cavity in the tooth and causing pain and discomfort.
A disturbing fact is that caries is more likely to occur and develop in primary teeth than in permanent ones.

It happens when the child consumes a lot of sugary foods and drinks for long periods of time.

Early childhood caries, or baby bottle caries, is the type of tooth decay that can affect baby teeth as soon as they erupt, and it can affect one tooth or more.

What are the different types of dental crowns?

Metal crowns

Dental crowns are made by dental technicians using a variety of metals, including gold, palladium, nickel, and chromium. In terms of wear, metal crowns last the longest and need the least amount of tooth reduction. They also seldom shatter or break. Additionally, they can tolerate heavy chewing and biting forces. The disadvantage of this crown is its shiny tint. They are a good option for molars that are not visible.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns

Crowns made of porcelain fused to metal (PFM) combine the strength of metal with the realistic appearance of porcelain. This type of crown has the benefit of being able to match the natural color of the teeth next to it. For either the front or back teeth, these crowns might be a great option.

PFM crowns are strong, but they also have some disadvantages. For instance, after time, the porcelain coating may chip off, revealing the metal beneath. Also, PFM crowns have the potential to wear the opposing teeth. Sometimes a black line under the porcelain is visible near the gingiva due to the underlining metal.

PFM crowns have similar lifespan as metal crowns.

Pressed ceramic crowns

Similar to a PFM, but with a ceramic core as opposed to a metal one. A technician makes it by melting and pushing ceramic at a very high temperature in an oven to create the inner core. Then, many layers of porcelain are added. Pressed ceramic crowns can imitate the translucency of real tooth enamel, like all-porcelain crowns do.

The disadvantages of PFM crowns are the same for pressed ceramic crowns. Ceramic layers are prone to chipping over time. It can be used for both anterior teeth and posterior teeth.

porcelain or all-ceramic crowns

More than any other form of crown, all-ceramic or porcelain crowns resemble the look of natural dentition. They’re also a much preferred choice if you’re allergic to metal.

(Zirconium dioxide) is one of the most common materials that the lab technicians utilize to create all ceramic crowns.

Zirconia crowns are hard durable material that can withstand high occlusal forces. Zirconia crowns are gentle to the opposing dentition and they don’t cause wear in comparison to glass ceramics. Despite of being durable, gentle and Esthetically acceptable material, zirconia have some disadvantages ; the material require layering by a more translucent material to give a more natural look and it is very technique sensitive when bonding to tooth structure.

Glass Ceramic Crowns

They are crowns made of lithium disilicate. Glass-ceramic crowns are a preferred option among cosmetic dentists due to their great aesthetic, strength, and durability. Glass-ceramic crowns are mostly and suited for anterior teeth because they offer the ideal combination of translucency and natural appearance. Zirconium crowns are less translucent than glass-ceramic crowns.

Unlike metal crowns, glass-ceramic crowns won’t have any gray lines at the gumline because they don’t include any metal alloys. Glass-ceramic crowns have exceptional durability and are not susceptible to chipping, breaking, or fracturing. The exceptional strength and fracture resistance of the crowns allow for their preparation in very thin portions. The most natural tooth structure possible is kept as much as possible during preparation in addition to ensuring the best possible appearance. It is possible to make veneers with incredibly thin dimensions that resemble natural enamel in terms of translucency.

What are the steps for preparing for a dental crown?

In most cases, getting ready for a dental crown requires two visits to the dentist.

The initial visit:

First, the tooth that will receive the crown is checked.
The tooth and the surrounding bone are both radiographed.
Root canal operation may be necessary before placing the crown in the following cases:

Sever dental decay.
infection danger
Pulp damage to the tooth

After that, local anesthesia is used to numb the tooth prior to placing the dental crown.
To create place for the crown, the tooth that will get one will be reduced down along the top and sides.
Depending on the type of crown you have, different amounts of tooth must be reduced.
After the tooth has been reshaped, an impression is created with paste or with intraoral camera.
The dental laboratory receives the impressions.
The dentist will create a temporary dental crown at this appointment to protect the prepared tooth while you wait for the final crown.

The following visit

Your tooth receives the permanent crown at the second appointment.

First, the temporary dental crown is taken out.
The permanent crown’s fit and color are examined.
The brand-new dental crown is firmly bonded.

dental crowns made in one day

IN certain cases, dentists can do dental crown procedures the same day. Crowns are made in-office by dentists using CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and manufacturing) technology.

The tooth must first be cleaned of decay and shaped to fit perfectly inside the crown.
Digital images of the tooth are taken using a scanning scanner, and computer software uses these images to create a 3D model of the tooth.
Your dentist will create your crown and then transmit the picture files to a milling machine that is located on site which will use a ceramic block to make the crown.
In less than60 minutes, the dental crown is ready to be fixed to the tooth.

What advantages can dental crowns offer?

Crowns specifically can:

Increase the lifespan of a weak tooth.
covering old, damaged, or decayed teeth , so it improves overall smile.
Enhance the chewing process and improve bite in certain cases.
Cover root canal treated teeth and crowns over implants.
Provide a fixed alternative to missing teeth.
With adequate maintenance it can last up to 15 years.