Dental crowns are used in restorative dentistry to help fortify the structure of a tooth. However, a crown can also have cosmetic applications, since it can change the shape of a tooth and provide coloration that matches that of adjacent teeth.Here are a few types of dental crowns and some of their uses:
Porcelain Crowns
The color and sheen of porcelain crowns makes them difficult to discern from natural teeth. Thus, for cosmetic reasons, they are often used for teeth that are positioned near the front of the mouth.
In addition, porcelain is used for same-day crowns, which are created in the dental office as the patient waits. Same-day porcelain crowns are designed from a digital image of the patient's mouth and fabricated using a computerized imaging machine. Porcelain still tends to be the most expensive among crown materials.
Stainless Steel Crowns
Crowns made of stainless steel are often used on children's teeth. These crowns, which are often inexpensive, are also applied as temporary crowns in cases where a permanent crown is not readily available because it has to be prepared in a dental laboratory.
As a temporary crown, the stainless steel crown is applied to protect a tooth that has undergone a restorative treatment, such as a root canal or a deep filling. The crown is removed during a subsequent visit once the permanent crown becomes available. For pediatric patients, the stainless crown covers the primary tooth and remains in place until the tooth is shed.
Metal Alloy Crowns
Crowns that are made of metal alloy are usually fabricated from chromium, nickel or even gold alloy. These crowns are usually applied to molars because they are not tooth-colored. Still, a crown made of metal alloy is thin and does not require as much of the underlying tooth to be shaved away before application. In addition, metal doesn't chip like porcelain, and it is long-lasting.
Porcelain-over-metal Crowns
Porcelain-over-metal combines the beauty of porcelain with the cost-effectiveness of metal. Crowns made of porcelain-over-metal are less expensive than all-porcelain crowns. In addition, due to their underlying metal component, these crowns are durable and provide a snug fit for the underlying tooth,
There are multiple crown materials available for dental restorations. However, only a dentist can recommend the best material for your particular situation. If you have a damaged tooth, schedule an appointment with a dentist, such as Ashton Randall P DDS. He or she will be able to properly assess your dental needs.
Share19 January 2016
