Dental News

What Are Dental Crowns?

March 26, 2019

What Are Dental Crowns?A dental crown is recommended by a dentist when a tooth is severely cracked, decayed, or damaged. Dental crowns are restorative prosthetics made to restore a tooth to its natural shape, size, function, and aesthetics. Crowns are custom made to fit over a tooth to protect teeth weaken by decay, prevent cracked teeth from breaking further, and support tooth with large fillings. A crown permanently covers the above gum line portion of a tooth, and replaces the worn or damaged crown of a natural tooth but can extend onto the root.  Let’s take a look at how a dental crown is fitted and what it is made of.

Dental Crown Fittings

A dental crown procedure typically takes two separate visits to the dentist. On the first visit, your dentist will examine the tooth and prepare the tooth to support a crown. Your dentist will begin filing the tooth to shape it to support the crown. However, if the tooth is severely damaged or decay, the dentist will need to fill the tooth to strengthen it to support the crown. After the tooth is properly shaped, an impression of the tooth is made. Your tooth’s impression will become the shape of the crown creating an exact replica. The tooth’s impression is sent to a dental lab where the mold will be shaped into a crown using materials made from metal or porcelain. Your dentist will install a temporary crown until the permanent crown is ready. On the second visit, the temporary crown is removed, and the permanent crown is fitted unto the tooth that was shaped to support the dental crown.

Dental Crown Materials

There are four different types of material used to make a dental crown: base metal alloys, gold alloys, porcelain fused to metal, and ceramic. Base metal alloy crowns are made from non-noble metals, which provides high durability and strength. Gold alloy crowns are derived from gold and copper providing a strong material that adheres to the tooth structure. Porcelain fused to metal crowns are made with metal frame to provide strength and fused with porcelain to provide a durable and strong crown that prevents leakage and reduce dental decay. Ceramic crowns are derived from a porcelain-based filling and replicates the natural look and feel of a tooth. Ceramic crowns may be brittle under heavy biting pressure and more susceptible to wear. The choice of a dental crown material determines the cost of a crown.

If you think you need a crown, contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to set up an appointment with us!

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