Dental crowns come in a wide variety of materials, including ceramic, base metal alloys, gold alloys, and porcelain fused to metal. Ceramic is most commonly used as it has a natural finish. Crowns are useful dental restorations that can re-establish the function and visual appearance of a decayed or damaged tooth.
About Dental Crowns
Dental crowns become necessary when a tooth becomes damaged to the point where a filling is not enough to restore it. They are also helpful for restoring teeth that have been cracked or broken, as well as teeth that have undergone root canals.
Crowns look and feel very much like natural teeth. When given proper care, they can last for a long time.
The Crown Process
Getting a dental crown is a relatively simple process that typically takes two appointments. During your first appointment, the dentist will need to remove some of your natural tooth structure in order to make room for the crown. They may also need to add some filling material to parts of your tooth in order to build it up. The dentist will take impressions of your teeth in order to send them to a lab, which will make a permanent crown. You will receive a temporary crown to protect your prepared tooth until the lab can make your final crown.
When your crown arrives, you will have another appointment to cement it. Your temporary crown will be removed and the permanent crown will be placed. The dentist will check the shape,color, and fit of the crown, ensuring the crown feels exactly like a natural tooth before permanently cementing it.
Crown Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic crowns are the closest visual match to a natural tooth. They are the most aesthetic crown option, while still maintaining strength and stability. This makes ceramic the most popular material for crowns in any dental office.
Gold Alloys
Gold alloy crowns are extremely durable. Most people choose to put them on the molars because they are highly visible when used in the front of the mouth. The dentist recommends them to people who grind their teeth.
Porcelain Fused to Metal
This material combines the attractive appearance of porcelain with the strength of a base metal alloy.
Base Metal Alloys
The base metal alloy is the least expensive crown material, but it does not blend in with your smile. For this reason, most people use it on the molars or in the back of the mouth.
Caring For Your Crown
In most situations, you can care for your dental crown as you would for healthy, natural teeth. Continue to brush and floss your teeth daily, and it is increasingly important for you to schedule routine cleanings with your dental hygienist. Yearly x-rays are also crucial in maintaining your crown, as it allows the dentist to check the margins of the restoration.
Choosing the Right Crown
Dentists select the proper crown material carefully and in consultation with the patient. They will balance your tooth's appearance with the demands placed on the crown, striking a balance between function and an attractive look.
Call Agnieszka Jamrozek, DMD
If you need a dental crown, call Dr. Agnieszka Jamrozek's West Milford, NJ, office at 973-728-3779 . Dr. Jamrozek will examine your tooth and help you decide if a crown is right for you.