Dental crowns are one of the most common dental treatments available to enhance the functionality as well as the appearance of your teeth. Custom-designed for the most accurate fit possible, dental crowns cover a tooth that has been affected by severe decay or has recently had root canal therapy. They are also used to provide the final touch to a dental implant. Dental crowns are made to look and act like your natural teeth, and are so durable that they can last an entire lifetime
Types of Dental Crowns
There are four different types of dental crowns.
Ceramic — These are used for restoring front teeth, and are popular in this area for their ability to blend with your natural tooth color. The crown is made of a porcelain-based material.
Porcelain-fused to metal – This crown provides a stronger bond than regular porcelain because it is connected to a metal structure. It’s also extremely durable.
Gold alloys – This crown is a mix of gold, copper and other metals. In addition to providing a strong bond to the tooth, it doesn’t fracture, nor does it wear away the tooth itself.
Base metal alloys – This crown is made up of non-noble metals that are highly resistant to corrosion, and make for a very strong crown. It also requires the least amount of healthy tooth to be removed prior to fitting.
The crowning process usually takes two visits. It typically takes two separate appointments for a dentist to place a dental crown.
The first appointment involves:
1) Preparing (shaping) the tooth
2) Taking its impression and
3) Placing a temporary crown.
The time needed to perform these steps can range from 30 minutes to an hour. During the time period between the two appointments, a dental laboratory will fabricate the crown. Two weeks or so are usually allotted for this process.
When the patient returns for their second visit, the dentist will cement the finished crown into place. This step can usually be completed in about 20 minutes or so.
All-Porcelain Crowns Advantages
No Dark Line
Unlike porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns (PFM), all-porcelain crowns don’t have a problem of a dark line as they all made of white porcelain that perfectly imitates your natural tooth enamel.
Cosmetic Beauty
All-porcelain crowns are translucent and smooth, matching the size, color and shade of your original teeth. All-porcelain crowns are a perfect choice for the front teeth restoration.
Non-allergic
All-porcelain crowns are made of biocompatible material, so there is no risk of allergic reactions and gum irritation.
Possible to Perform In One Visit
Unlike other traditional techniques which require minimum two dental visits and some turn-around time between the procedures, all-porcelain crowns can be done in one appointment. After the tooth is prepared for the procedure, it takes 20-30 minutes to place a crown and cement it.
