Depending on your dental condition, your dentist may perform several different procedures on your teeth and mouth. Cleaning your teeth, bondings and cavity fillings are some of the more common procedures and easy to complete. As well as tooth extractions and root canals, dental crowns are very often also required. It is these that come in different forms and serve various functions.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns, also known as caps, is a prosthetic object that is cemented to the tooth. Once they are in place, they can only be removed by a dentist. Crowns are designed mainly to cover a damaged tooth, however, they can strengthen the tooth, which in turn improves the overall appearance and alignment of the mouth.
Crowns are made by the dentist taking an impression of the tooth or teeth that they will be covering. However, before the impression is taken, the dentist must first reduce the size of the tooth or teeth that the crown is going to cover, to ensure that it fits correctly. A temporary crown may also be fitted by your dentist whilst the permanent one is being made.
Types of Dental Crowns
There are four different types of dental crowns:
1. Ceramic
Ceramic crowns are used to restore front teeth. These are popular as they blend so well with the tooth's natural colour. They are made of a porcelain-based material.
2. Porcelain Fused to Metal
These crowns provide a stronger bond than the regular porcelain crown due to them being connected to a metal structure. They are also highly durable.
3. Gold Alloys
These crowns are made up of gold, copper and other metals. As well as providing a strong fixture to the tooth, they do not fracture, or wear away the original tooth itself.
4. Base Metal Alloys
These crowns are made of non-noble metals that are super resistant to corrosion, which makes them an extremely strong crown. These crowns also require the lesser amount of natural tooth to be removed before they are fitted.
Variations of Crown Types
The sealing process of porcelain crowns depends entirely upon the filling materials and the quality of the tooth underneath, whereas all other varieties give a good seal against leakages.
Strength is best provided by gold and metal alloy crowns, whereas porcelain crowns tend to be more susceptible when put under pressure, for example, grinding teeth during sleep. Porcelain fused to metal crowns offer durability and are highly resistant to wear and tear, however, they can quickly aggravate adjacent teeth if the surface becomes rough. Even though crowns can become loose during their lifetime and fall out, if they are correctly maintained, this happens rarely.
Oral Tips for Crowns
Even though crowns can last a lifetime, it is important to take good care of them. The most important factor in maintaining them and ensuring longevity is carrying out good oral hygiene. Keep your teeth and gums healthy by brushing and flossing at least twice daily, and visit your dentist or hygienist on a regular basis for check-ups and professional cleaning. Finally, avoid chewing hard foods, ice or other hard objects to prevent damaging your new crown.
Share20 November 2017
I have worked as a school nurse for decades. Children come to me with all sorts of scrapes and bumps and bruises. Black eyes from playing football, sprained wrists from falling off the monkey bars and stomachaches from too many sweets are common complaints. However, the issue that seems to cause the greatest angst is tooth problems. Sometimes a child will have a second tooth knocked out when playing sport and parents arrive in tears. At other times, children come to my office crying because their friends are teasing them about teeth that are discoloured or stick out. I take an active interest in the latest dental news so that I can give parents and children comfort and advice. I have included some of my collected wisdom on these pages. Perhaps this information can help you understand some options when faced with a dental problem. Thank you for reading.