Over time your teeth can get damaged due to various reasons such as injuries, tooth decay, or wear and tear as you age. They can also lose their size and shape. There are various options you can choose from to restore your bright smile. One of these options is a dental crown.
Dental crowns are caps shaped like a tooth that are placed over your damaged tooth. They are used to cover, restore strength and protect the shape of your teeth when dental fillings do not solve the problem. Usually, dental crowns do not require special care over time apart from regular good oral hygiene. Dental crowns come in several different types that vary depending on cost, procedures, materials, and patient’s needs. Here are the main types of crowns used in dentistry.
- Gold Crowns
Gold crowns are made of a combination of copper and other metals such as chromium and nickel. The main advantage of gold crowns is their durability and strength. A gold crown may be recommended for a back restoration or depending on the patient’s needs and preference. On the other hand, gold crowns are less popular today due to their colour and aesthetics.
- All-Ceramic or All Porcelain Crowns
These type of crowns provides the best natural colour match compared to any other type. They are also a perfect option if you have any metal allergies. Conversely, they are not as strong as a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. Additionally, they tend to wear down the teeth opposite them a little more than resin or metal crowns. On the good side, all-ceramic crowns are a good option for front teeth.
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are the most widely used type of dental crowns. They offer both strengths due to their metal structure and aesthetics due to the porcelain cap. The main advantages of porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are the great aesthetics, and durability and they are less costly than all-porcelain crowns.
- Stainless Steel Crowns
Stainless steel crowns are most suitable for a child who is in need of a dental crown for a primary tooth. In most cases, adults use stainless steel crowns as a temporary option. Temporary dental crowns are required between the tooth preparation appointment and permanent crown placement appointment to protect the tooth structure from exposure.
- All-Resin Crowns
crowns made out of resin are generally cost-effective compared to other types of crowns. They are fabricated from a dental composite resin and can be colour-blended to match the surrounding teeth. Also, they require minimal tooth preparation. However, they wear off over time and are more likely to break than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.
- Base Metal Alloy Crowns
Base metal alloy crowns are made of less than 25% of noble metals such as platinum, silver, gold, and palladium. They are mostly made of nickel and chromium, thus giving them strong bite strength.
Bottom Line
Each of these different types of dental crowns offers a slightly different approach to restoring damaged and decayed teeth. Some materials may work better compared to others for certain cases; therefore, scheduling an appointment with us at Carrum Downs Dental Group is the best way to determine which type of dental crown is best suited for your needs. Contact us today to book an appointment.
