A dental crown is an artificial tooth that is fabricated to be fitted over your existing tooth after it has been trimmed and shaped. It covers the visible portion of the tooth down to the gum line and restores the shape, size, color, and function of your tooth.
With proper care and maintenance, crowns can last 15-20 years. The PFM crown is fabricated with very durable material that has superior strength and load-bearing capacity and can last a long time.
Why would I need a dental crown?
A dental crown can be given by your dentist for several reasons, such as:
- Protecting a fragile tooth
- Restoring a severely worn-down tooth
- Loss of significant tooth structure where a simple filling won’t last long enough
- To improve the shape, size, or color of natural tooth
- Covering a dental implant.
- Covering a root canal-treated tooth
- To repair a fractured or cracked tooth.
Caring for a new dental crown
Care for a dental crown just like you would for a natural tooth. Maintain good oral hygiene and don’t forget to visit your dentist every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning.
Do I need some downtime after my crown placement appointment?
There is no downtime required after your crown is placed. It is a non-surgical treatment and there is no serious pain or discomfort and one can continue with their day-to-day routine immediately.
Onlays and 3/4 crowns
Onlays and 3/4 crowns are more conservative crowns that don’t cover as much of your underlying tooth as traditional dental crowns. They are a more conservative approach that might be appropriate when there is still a significant solid tooth structure present. It’s considered compared to full coverage of your crown. What are dental crowns made of?
Dental crowns can be fabricated out of different materials, such as
Metal: Several metals can be used in dental crowns, They rarely chip or break, require a small amount of tooth structure to be removed, and are durable and long-lasting. The only drawback is the metallic color, making them a good choice for molars.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal
Pros
-PFM crown can be matched to the color of the neighboring teeth.
Cons
-Underlying metal shows through as a dark line
-Chance of the crown’s porcelain portion chipping or breaking off and the opposing tooth structure getting worn off by the crown
PFM crowns can be a good choice for front or back teeth.
All-ceramic or all-porcelain: All-ceramic crowns are a good choice for front teeth.
Pros
-Provides the best natural color match compared to any other crown type.
-Good choice for people with metal allergies
Cons
Not as strong as PFM crowns
What will happen at my dental crown appointment?
During the first visit, your dentist will evaluate the tooth and its surrounding structures. Once it’s decided to be crowned, the tooth will be reduced a small amount, to make space for the crown itself. After preparing, an impression of the tooth is taken which is then sent to a dental laboratory. Meanwhile, your dentist will make a temporary crown to cover and protect the prepared tooth till the permanent crown is made.
