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Crowns
Grinding your teeth, an improper bite, age, fillings and
tooth decay can all be contributing factors in the wearing
down, cracking or breakage of your teeth. Dental crowns
cover the entire visible surface of your affected tooth and
add strength, durability and tooth stability.
Who is a candidate for Tooth Crowns?
Grinding your teeth, an improper bite, age, fillings and
tooth decay can all be contributing factors in the wearing
down, cracking or breakage of your teeth. Dental crowns
cover the entire visible surface of your affected tooth and
add strength, durability and tooth stability.
In
other instances, crowns are used to replace a actual missing
tooth. These crowns are anchored to the teeth on either
side, with a bridge section connecting the two crowns.
Instead of bridges, single tooth dental implants may be used
that eliminate the need for supporting the crowns.
Types of Tooth Crowns
There
are basically three types of crowns, those made of gold,
ceramic crowns and ceramic-veneered gold crowns. Gold and
metal-ceramic crowns are extremely durable and are normally
used in molars, where the forces from chewing and grinding
are most prevalent. Ceramic crowns are used primarily for
front teeth, since they can best resemble the natural tooth
color.
Resin and Porcelain Crowns
The new reinforced resin or bonded all-porcelain type of
crown has the nicest appearance. This crown can be made
from pure ceramic or a new reinforced composite resin,
and is almost indistinguishable from natural teeth. The
new bonding technology involved provides an exceptional
bond your tooth. It is metal-free, and thus satisfies
the needs of patients with metal sensitivities. When
correcting your back teeth with bonding, the cosmetic
dentist will perform a tooth colored onlay. This type of
procedure is used to correct only those parts of the
tooth that are in need. This is a metal-free procedure.
Crowns Made of Gold
Gold crowns are appropriate when appearance is not a
priority to you. The gold metal is extremely workable
making gold crowns a more precise fit than any other
type. While there exists a slight possibility of
chipping with porcelain crowns, gold crowns provide no
such possibility.
Porcelain and Metal Crowns
For a very natural appearance, porcelain fused to metal
crowns are the answer. However, they have a metal
substructure and require an opaque below the porcelain.
This can make the translucency of natural teeth
difficult to replicate. Occasionally a darker line will
be visible at the edge of the crown, near to your gum
when it recedes with age.
Pros and Cons of Dental Crowns Types
Tooth
crowns in general add a good deal of strength to weakened or
worn teeth. Depending on your habits and the condition of
your gums, there can be some drawbacks. Your cosmetic
dentist will advise which is best for you given many
factors, including how important appearance is to you. The
following are the advantages and disadvantages of the most
common crown types.
Gold Crowns
Advantage:
The preparation of a tooth for a gold crown is the
simplest and least complicated preparation as there is
minimal tooth structure removal with as much as possible
of the healthy tooth structure remaining untouched.
While porcelain is hard by comparison, it may cause wear
on opposing teeth over the years where gold is not as
likely to do so. Gold is also easier to fit to the area
where the tooth and crown meet for a better fit. Gold is
also a healthier environment for the gum tissue.
Disadvantage:
The biggest disadvantage to gold crowns is the cosmetic
aspect, unless it is being used in the back of your
mouth.
Porcelain Crowns
Advantage:
Porcelain crowns or new reinforced resin are considered
to be the most aesthetically pleasing, as it is so
easily matched in color to the surrounding teeth.
Disadvantage:
The thickness of the porcelain required for pleasing
aesthetics also requires that more tooth structure needs
to be removed. It is more difficult for your cosmetic
dentist to get an ideal fit where your gum meets the
crown. Gingival inflammation appears to be more common
with porcelain crowns than gold crowns. All-porcelain
crowns require a higher skill level from your dentist
and lab.
Porcelain Fused-to-Metal Crowns
Advantage:
Porcelain fused-to-metal crowns have a very natural
appearance.
Disadvantage:
They have a metal substructure and require an opaque
below the porcelain. This can make the translucency of
natural teeth difficult to replicate. Occasionally a
darker line will be visible at the edge of the crown,
near to your gum when it recedes with age.
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