The Ins and Outs of Dental Crowns

CrownA crown on tooth procedure involves the application of a tooth-shaped crown or cap over the tooth.  The crown restores the tooth to its normal size and shape.  It also bolsters the tooth's strength and enhances its aesthetics.  Once we fully cement a crown into position, it completely encases the visible part of the tooth above the gum line.

Why the Crown on Tooth Procedure is Necessary

The crown on tooth procedure is necessary for all sorts of different situations. A crown on a tooth can serve the purpose of protecting a weakened tooth, such as a tooth that has tooth decay. A crown can even serve the purpose of holding parts of a cracked tooth to one another.

Dental crowns can restore broken teeth or teeth with natural wear/tear for several years. Dental crowns also hold dental bridges in place, cover and support teeth with large fillings and cover a discolored/misshapen tooth.

Crowns are not Limited to Adults

The crown on tooth procedure can also prove helpful for children. In some instances, adding a crown to the baby teeth is necessary to protect teeth that are at high risk for tooth decay. Crowns can preserve teeth with extensive damage by decay that cannot support a filling.

Crowns also reduce the frequency at which children receive general anesthesia. We will typically fit children with the stainless steel variety of crown.

Crown Types

There are numerous different types of crowns available.  Permanent crowns consist of stainless steel, resin, porcelain-fused-to-metal, ceramic or all metal such as gold/other alloys. We often use the stainless steel variety on permanent teeth as a temporary solution. The crown guards the filling or tooth while professionals in a dental laboratory make the permanent crown. The stainless steel crowns fit over children's teeth to guard against additional decay.

Once the child's primary tooth emerges for the permanent tooth, the stainless steel crown will also come out as well. Stainless steel crowns are ideal for kids' teeth as there is no need to visit the dentist several times over.  Furthermore, the stainless steel variety is affordable in comparison to other options.

Metal and Resin Crowns

Crowns can also consist of metal. Metals are generally thought of as the most durable material for crowns. This type of crown rarely breaks or chips. The only downside is the metallic hue. As long as the teeth are out of sight, a metal crown will prove highly effective. The metal in crowns commonly includes alloys with a high platinum or gold content.

Base-metal alloys like nickel-chromium or cobalt-chromium alloys prove quite durable.  Metal crowns endure biting and chewing with ease. It is also possible to fuse porcelain directly to metal for a sturdy crown. Dental crowns of this variety can be matched to the color of surrounding teeth for a uniform visual appeal.

The downside to porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns is they cause some wear to opposing teeth.  Resin crowns are much less impactful on opposing teeth.  Furthermore, the resin variety is cost-efficient.  The drawback to the resin variety is it is more prone to fractures.  Consult with your dentist to determine whether a crown on tooth procedure is ideal for your mouth.

Call (414) 888-4000 to schedule an appointment with Eastside Dental in our Milwaukee dental office.

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