How to Choose the Proper Crowns for Your Teeth?
When our permanent set of teeth grows in, they are there forever. Or, at least, that is what we all consider, right? Unfortunately, this is more often than not the rarest case. What happens is that people suffer from tooth decay, sensitive gums, periodontal disease, or even teeth chipping or tooth trauma related to mouth injuries. Many situations can endanger your beautiful smile, and this is where cosmetic dentistry can help immensely.
When do you need crowns?
When the tooth structure is off, you can’t bite normally, and the remaining surfaces are vulnerable to plaque, a dental crown should restore a solid bite and good looks, free from infection risk. A crown is essentially a cap that goes over a tooth that is broken, chipped, or unsightly. Crowns are used to improve the appearance and usability of one or multiple compromised teeth.
Their main benefit is that they provide a stronger bite, serve as an anchor for bridges, a fix for misshapen or discoloured teeth, and most definitely boost the patient’s confidence with aesthetically pleasing looks. They can be made from different materials which might make a difference and affect your decision. The next lines will show the differences in available materials.
Types of crown materials:
Metal
There are several metals that can be used in dental crowns, including gold, platinum, palladium, nickel, and chromium, as well as different base-metal alloys. Metal crowns last longest as they rarely chip or break, and almost don’t wear down at all. They are also convenient as they can be made to fit the living part of the tooth in your mouth.
Golden teeth were even considered a sign of wealth in some cultures, but today it is mostly not the case. The main downside of metal crowns is their metal colour, as it doesn’t look natural. A natural-looking smile is vital to most patients. Given that preference, dentists put some thought into which teeth benefit most from metal. The recommendation is to choose metals for the innermost top and bottom molars. Most intensive chewing relies on the molars, so it’s obvious that you’ll want a material that won’t break.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal
The crowns that are made by fusing metal on the inside of the porcelain are the best option when you want to be certain you can enjoy chewing while still having your gums protected. Metal can be slightly seen with people who have a smile where the patient’s gums are exposed or while eating mentioned chewy food, like nuts. On the other hand, porcelain can still match your other teeth in colour and look natural, apart from the shade near the root that doesn’t get seen easily. The recommendation is to use these crowns on the teeth just next to molars and canine teeth.
All-resin
Resin crowns are usually the cheapest option, but that also greatly affects their durability and longevity. They are significantly weaker metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, so it is best to get a few opinions depending on your case before choosing resin as your crown material. Avoid using it as a material for molars. All resin crowns are also referred to as ‘composite resin’ crowns as they are made from composite resin material, which is a combination of plastic-type materials that are colour matched to natural teeth shade.
All-porcelain or all-ceramic
Maybe the most popular choice when it comes to cosmetic dentistry procedures, porcelain crowns are the ‘pearly white’ teeth we are used to seeing on the magazine covers, ads, and celebrity social media. However, they tend to chip more easily than the crowns made from previously mentioned materials. All-ceramic crowns are advised to be used as front teeth crowns as they look most natural, and can be a tone similar to your natural teeth or closer to the pearl white. They could need small diet adjustments, so remember to check every detail with your dentist.
Pressed ceramic
Crowns made from pressed ceramic have a harder core than the regular all-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns. It is made from a strong ceramic core baked at high temperatures which are later coated with porcelain to get the perfect finish. It can be a fine replacement for the front teeth crowns where porcelain is fused to the metal core. However, they still lack the strength of the metal and as such are not a replacement for the molars. On the other hand, as they are more long-lasting than an all-porcelain crown they are still safer, especially if the patient has a history of teeth grinding or TMJ-related issues.
Crown care
As with natural teeth, crowns require regular brushing twice a day, as well as the use of dental floss. A dental crown is a long-lasting restorative treatment, and of course, you want to have it done in the most professional and skilful way. This is where the preparation and regular appointments should be backed up by dental lab records. These technologies provide the best insight and even help with the prognosis of your teeth condition. Regular appointments with comparable records are the best prevention along with personalized advice from your dentist.
Bonus tip: How to choose a perfect shade of white for your crowns?
Usually, it leads to the dentist-patient conflict as people have trouble dealing with this, they want to get their hands on the brightest and the shiniest shade. It is in your best interest to keep your dental crown’s shade as natural as possible; similar to the rest of your teeth. Apart from genetics, lifestyle can majorly affect the colour of your teeth, especially your diet. Your fresh white crown can change colour and even get uneven discoloration if you don’t follow the dentist’s recommendations. Additionally, the new shade can look different in a different light if there is no reference in your mouth.
Most know dental crowns risks
Dental crowns provide a solution for many dental problems such as tooth decay, broken teeth, sensitivity, infections, etc. If not cared for properly, you could still get in danger of getting cavities underneath the crown, having your crown chipped or broken, or feeling strong discomfort in that area. If you have these issues or any allergic reaction, you should book an appointment with your dentist immediately.
All in all, on average dental crowns, last between five and 15 years. The longevity and the condition depend on the care provided, as well as on the regular follow-up appointments. Investing in yourself is never a bad idea, but a costly investment in your teeth that can go over a few thousand dollars is definitely a reason to take special care and enjoy them for as long as possible.