Understanding the Benefits and Types of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns play a crucial role in restoring damaged teeth and improving oral health. If you have a cracked, decayed, or weakened tooth, a dental crown can protect and strengthen it, allowing you to maintain a natural smile and proper function. This post explores the benefits of dental crowns and the different types available, helping you make informed decisions about your dental care.

Dental crown fitted on a molar tooth

Why Choose a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers a damaged tooth. It restores the tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance. Here are some common reasons dentists recommend dental crowns:

• Protect a weak tooth from breaking or cracking further.

• Restore a broken or worn-down tooth to its original shape.

• Cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth left.

• Hold a dental bridge in place.

• Cover misshaped or severely discolored teeth.

• Cover a dental implant.

  
  

Crowns provide a durable solution that can last many years with proper care. They allow you to chew and speak normally while protecting your natural teeth underneath.

Types of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns come in several materials, each with its own advantages and considerations. Choosing the right type depends on factors like the tooth’s location, your bite, aesthetic preferences, and budget.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns

PFM crowns combine the strength of metal with the natural look of porcelain. The metal base provides durability, while the porcelain coating matches your tooth color.

• Advantages: Strong and visually appealing, suitable for front and back teeth.

• Considerations: The metal may sometimes show as a dark line near the gum, especially if gums recede.

  
  

All-Ceramic or All-Porcelain Crowns

These crowns offer the best natural color match and are ideal for front teeth where appearance matters most.

• Advantages: Excellent aesthetics, metal-free, biocompatible for people with metal allergies.

• Considerations: Less durable than metal-based crowns, may wear down opposing teeth.

  
  

Metal Crowns

Made from gold, platinum, or base metal alloys, metal crowns are very strong and resistant to wear.

• Advantages: Long-lasting, withstand heavy chewing forces, require less tooth removal.

• Considerations: Not tooth-colored, so they are usually placed on back teeth.

  
  

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia crowns are made from a strong ceramic material that offers both durability and good aesthetics.

• Advantages: Very strong, tooth-colored, less likely to chip than porcelain.

• Considerations: Can be abrasive to opposing teeth if not polished properly.

  
  

How Dental Crowns Are Made and Placed

The process of getting a dental crown usually takes two visits to the dentist:

1. Preparation: The dentist reshapes the damaged tooth by removing some enamel to make room for the crown.

2. Impression: An impression of the tooth is taken to create a custom crown that fits perfectly.

3. Temporary Crown: A temporary crown protects the tooth while the permanent one is made.

4. Placement: At the next visit, the temporary crown is removed, and the permanent crown is cemented in place.

   
   

Advances in dental technology now allow some crowns to be made and placed in a single visit using CAD/CAM systems, which mill the crown onsite.

Dental technician shaping a dental crown in a laboratory

Benefits of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns offer several important benefits beyond restoring a tooth’s appearance:

• Protect teeth from further damage: Crowns shield weak teeth from fractures and decay.

• Restore chewing function: They allow you to bite and chew without discomfort.

• Improve smile aesthetics: Crowns can cover discoloration, chips, and misshapen teeth.

• Support dental bridges and implants: Crowns anchor bridges and cover implants for full tooth replacement.

• Long-lasting solution: With good oral hygiene, crowns can last 10-15 years or more.

  
  

Caring for Your Dental Crown

Taking care of a dental crown is similar to caring for natural teeth:

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.

• Floss daily, especially around the crown margins.

• Avoid chewing hard objects like ice or hard candy.

• Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.

• If you grind your teeth, ask about a night guard to protect your crown.

  
  

When to See a Dentist About Your Crown

Watch for signs that your dental crown may need attention:

• Sensitivity or pain around the crowned tooth.

• A loose or wobbly crown.

• Visible cracks or chips in the crown.

• Discomfort when biting or chewing.

  
  

Prompt dental care can prevent further damage and extend the life of your crown.