Oral health is crucial for overall wellness and confidence. Decayed or damaged teeth can compromise both aspects, making getting dental crowns a perfect solution. Also known as dental caps, dental crowns are tooth-shaped features that a professional dentist cements over the affected teeth to preserve their look and enhance your smile. The dentist fabricates the shape of your teeth to customize the crown to match the size and shape of your natural ones.
Crowns cover the part of your tooth just above the gum line to conceal any damage. They come in different materials, such as resin, metal, ceramic, and porcelain, each of which strengthens and protects your teeth. Here are more benefits of getting this dental treatment:
Restoration of Teeth Functionality
A key benefit of dental crowns is restoring tooth functionality, and enhancing your overall quality of life. Decayed teeth can cause discomfort when biting or chewing food, leading to diet restrictions. Getting crowns allows you to freely eat all foods without difficulty or pain. They also act as a shield to maintain your teeth’ integrity and prevent the recurrence of decay or damage that could make your teeth vulnerable. These dental solutions can also be used after root canal treatments to reinforce your teeth and keep them strong. You can chew without discomfort or feeling any sensitivity.
Enhanced Aesthetics
Advancements in technology have led to the creation of crowns that resemble your teeth’s natural appearance, such as ceramic and porcelain ones. This means they can be customized to replicate your tooth size, shape, and color to provide a natural and seamless look that enhances your appearance and overall aesthetics. They are a perfect solution for discolored or chipped teeth.
Crowns are the ideal option if you feel self-conscious about your teeth. They give you a beautiful smile that can boost your confidence and esteem, making you comfortable to show off your teeth and newly found smile.
Natural Tooth Preservation
Modern dentistry focuses on preserving the natural tooth structure. Crowns allow the preservation of your natural tooth by providing a protective cover over it to prevent further damage through physical wear. They are a better alternative to tooth extraction, which may cause you to lose the entire tooth. Placement of crowns is a minimally invasive procedure that can save you from needing extreme dental procedures such as root canals. This saves you money and time while promoting good oral health.
Longevity and Durability
Dental caps are known for their long lifespan, which makes them a good choice for many. However, their durability may vary depending on several factors, such as your oral habits, the material they are made of, and oral hygiene standards. Materials such as zirconia dental caps are more durable than ceramic and porcelain ones.
Here are tips on crown aftercare to extend their lifespan and maintain oral health:
- Visiting the dentist regularly for professional cleanings to keep our teeth in optimal condition.
- Brushing your teeth after meals and flossing regularly can also prevent the build-up of plaque that may cause gum disease.
- Avoid sticky or hard food that can cause strain to your teeth to prevent wear and tear.
Crowns are very low-maintenance and can be a long-lasting dental solution. Unlike other restorations like dentures, they do not require special cleaning techniques or tools.
Versatility
Crowns can be a dental solution for a wide range of problems. These include:
- Tooth decay: Dental caps are used instead of fillings if the tooth is too decayed for a filling procedure.
- Cracked teeth: They can restore the appearance and strength of your cracked tooth.
- Dental implants: Crowns are used as tooth replacements to cover the top of dental implants.
- Cosmetic enhancements: Enhancements to correct teeth discoloration require crowns to imitate the natural appearance of teeth.
Minimally Invasive Procedure
Crown placement is minimally invasive compared to other forms of dental restoration. You only need a maximum of two visits. During the first one, the dentist removes decay from the affected tooth and shapes it to match the crown. The tooth’s impression is then taken and sent to the lab for customization of the crown to be fitted on the second visit. Cementing crowns is a straightforward and painless procedure with a relatively short recovery time.
Types of Dental Caps
Crowns come in different types depending on the procedure, material used, and your individual dental needs. The right type depends on your preferences and oral health needs. You need to consult a dentist for assessment and guidance on your ideal type. Here are the various types of dental crowns you’ll come across:
All Porcelain or Ceramic Crowns
These crowns are made of ceramic materials that provide more longevity and durability. They are an ideal choice for front teeth due to their natural appearance. Porcelain crowns include:
- Glass-ceramic: Common glass-ceramic options known for their durability include Suprinity, Emax, LiSi, and Empress. These options have translucent properties like natural teeth and are ideal for posterior and anterior teeth. However, this material may not be ideal for patients with severely worn-out teeth and limited tooth space. A professional dentist will assess the condition of your teeth and advise you accordingly.
- Hybrid Ceramic: This is a combination of composite and ceramic materials. This adds to the strength and aesthetics of the crowns. Hybrid crowns are suitable for minimally invasive restoration for patients with less dentin.
- Zirconia Crowns: These dental caps are more durable than glass and hybrid crowns. They are versatile and possess high resistance to accommodate people with bruxism behavior.
Resin Crowns
Resin is used to make temporary crowns that patients wear to evaluate their conditions after the first dentist visit while they wait for the permanent ones to be customized in the dental laboratory. They are made from material that doesn’t react with surrounding tissues and gums and is unlikely to cause sensitivities or allergies to teeth. However, they are less strong than the permanent crown options.
Metal Crowns
Dental technicians use chromium, gold, nickel, and palladium metals to make these crown types. Metal crowns rarely break, and their placement requires minimal enamel removal. They have a conspicuous metallic color and can withstand chewing and biting, making them a good choice for molars.
Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) Crowns
PFM crowns perfectly blend metal’s durability and porcelain’s aesthetics with a natural appearance. They can be customized to match the shade of your natural teeth. Porcelain fused to metal caps can last as long as metal ones and can be used to restore both anterior and posterior teeth.
Improve Your Oral Health with Dental Crowns
Dental crowns offer a range of benefits, from restoration to aesthetic enhancement and protection, making them a versatile solution for addressing various dental problems. They are a cost-effective, durable, and comfortable choice for individuals who want to enhance or maintain their oral health. It is crucial to seek a dentist’s opinion to determine if these are the ideal solution for your dental needs.
Eriks Dental Group offers comprehensive dental services in South Florida, including crown placement in Boynton Beach. Contact us for further inquiries or to request an appointment. Let our top specialists improve the quality of your life with customized dental crown solutions.