Dental Crown: Needs, procedures and After care

A dental crown is a hollow cap that encases the surface of the tooth entirely to restore its original size and shape and give strength and improve the appearance of the tooth. It’s a fixed prosthetic device fixed on existing teeth or implants and can remove by dentist only. It is also known as cap and gives teeth original natural appearance.

When it is needed?

A Dental Surgeon suggests for dental crown for several reasons as shown below.

• To protect a tooth from weakening due to severe tooth decay or other dental problems
• To restore a severely damaged tooth or fractured tooth
• To hold joint parts of a broken or a cracked tooth
• To hold a dental bridge in position
• To cover as well as support the tooth having a large filling
• To cover a dental implant
• To cover roughly discolored or misshaped tooth
• To cover a tooth having root canal
• For cosmetic enhancement

What types of material used for dental crown and bridges?

There are varieties of materials used for dental crown and bridges. For permanent crown, metal, resin, ceramic and porcelain-fused-to-metal materials are used normally.

Metal – One of the most reliable options for dental crown is metal dental crowns. A metal alloy is highly durable and normally used in less visible areas of mouth for back morals due to its appearance. It is not used for improving cosmetic appearance. In metal crown, gold alloy, base metal alloy such as nickel or chromium or other alloy is used. In this type of crown less tooth structure needs to be removed. It resists chewing and biting forces and become durable as it breaks or chip rarely.

Ceramic or Porcelain – It is mainly used to give teeth a natural look. People having allergy to metal or not prefer metal crowns, ceramic or porcelain crowns become the best option. The only drawback is that the material may erode over time and need replacement or repair. It is also not durable like other material such as metal and porcelain-fused metal crowns.

Porcelain Fused To Metal – It comprises benefits of durability and proffers natural look. In this type of dental crown the porcelain combines with the metal that gives strength due to the metal base and the exterior surface is of porcelain that blends with other teeth naturally. Although, it is also long lasting but somewhat less compare to metal crown. Strength and durability are the advantages of porcelain fused to metal crown. The only disadvantages of it is that sometimes it creates a great shadow or line near the gum but it will not affect the functionality of the crown.

Resin – When it comes to cost factor, the resin crown becomes very economical and also look good in the mouth. The disadvantages of it that it wear down quickly and need to replace quickly compared to other types of dental crowns.

How to care a crowned tooth?

It is advisable to take proper care of a crowned tooth in a similar manner as normal teeth. Actually a good oral hygiene practice that includes brushing twice, flossing once in a day carefully, rinses your mouth after eating or drinking and regular visit to dentist provides long life to dental crown. It is also necessary to avoid chewing or biting on hard surfaces if there are porcelain crowns. It is essential to prevent porcelain fracture.