Crowns are restorative options used to cover damaged teeth. They can be used to restore teeth that are cracked, broken, or severely damaged. Sometimes, crowns are also used to enhance the appearance of the teeth. This is especially true for front teeth. Front teeth tend to be shorter than the back ones, which makes it difficult to place veneers or fillings on them. As a result, crowns are often used to cover front teeth so that they look aesthetically pleasing.
What Are the Types of Crowns?
There are several types of crowns available in the market. Here are some of them:
Porcelain Crowns: Porcelain crowns are one of the most commonly used crowns. They are a great option for covering front teeth as their color can be customized according to the exact requirement of the patient’s smile. Their durability and longevity are also quite impressive. Some patients have had porcelain crowns for 15-20 years without any issues.
All-Ceramic Crowns: These crowns are made from dental-grade ceramic material and have a metal framework at the back. This allows them to hold their shape and stay in place without drifting off from their position.
Metal-Free Crowns: Metal-free crowns are composed of a special resin material rather than ceramic or porcelain. They do not contain any metals and can be placed on teeth that have been weakened due to substances like mercury or lead poisoning. Metal-free crowns last longer compared to other types of crowns.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal Crowns: As the name suggests, these crowns have both porcelain and metal in them. Porcelain is used for the visible part of the crown, while metal is used for providing its structure and rigidity. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns last for about ten years on average, which is a decent amount of time for a single tooth restoration procedure.
What Is the Procedure Involved In Getting Crowns?
Crown placement doesn’t require much effort from your side. After you visit our practice for a preliminary consultation, we will prepare your tooth by removing a thin layer of enamel from it using an etching solution. This helps increase the size of its opening so that it can fit the crown comfortably without being too snug. The removed enamel will not affect your tooth as we will place a layer of hardening material on it before taking an impression of your mouth’s structure. This impression will be sent to a dental laboratory, where your crown will be made from dental-grade ceramic material. It usually takes a couple of days for the dental laboratory to produce your crown, after which we will schedule your second appointment with us to fix it on your tooth properly. We will polish it so that it matches your natural oral tissues perfectly, and you should be good to go!
Please reach out to Dicus Family Dentistry at 15 McCabe Drive, #201, Reno, NV 89511, to have a consultation with our dentist. Call us at (775) 828-7246 or schedule an online consultation, and we’ll guide you further.
