Dental Crowns
A dental crown – or cap – is a very commonly used device to protect a severely damaged or decayed tooth in order to return it to proper functionality.
The crown rests on top of the damaged tooth and covers the entire exposed area. Dental crowns become necessary in a number of scenarios including situations where the tooth has decayed to the point where it can’t structurally support a filling or inlay or if the filling is large enough to warrant additional coverage, where the tooth has a large chip or fracture, following a root canal to strengthen a tooth or if a dental implant is already in place where a tooth was missing. But crowns can also be used for cosmetic improvements, although they should be more of a last resort after less-invasive techniques such as veneers and bonding are ruled out.
Dental crowns typically are available in three options: porcelain that is fused to metal, all porcelain or gold. The proper material will be determined on an individual case-by-case basis. Porcelain-fused-to metal crowns are strong and durable while still maintaining a high aesthetic value. One drawback is that the metal at the base of these crowns may be exposed when gums recede with age and some patients will opt to replace them at that time to maintain a natural look. All-ceramic (or porcelain) crowns are very popular because they contain no metal at all and are instead anchored with zirconium or similar materials. This type of crown is lighter and takes up less space in the mouth, but is not as strong and may require more careful attention. Gold crowns are not as popular because they are quite noticeable when placed among natural teeth, but they are extremely durable. Patients who grind their teeth or who have strong bites may find gold crowns to be a better choice than porcelain crowns that can more easily be damaged. Especially for back teeth, like molars, gold crowns still may be the right choice given their significantly longer life expectancy.
Fitting a dental crown involves a significant procedure performed under local anesthesia. First the dentist will clean the tooth area of any decay and reshape the tooth using a special type of drill. The tooth must be reshaped to allow the crown to fit correctly. The crown will be custom produced in a dental laboratory based on a mold of the patient’s teeth that will be made out of putty in the dentists’ office. A temporary crown will be fitted over the tooth for the approximately two weeks needed for a laboratory technician to craft the permanent dental crown. The new crown will be fitted onto the tooth after the temporary crown is removed and the tooth roughed to allow for better bonding of the adhesive. The dental crown is then secured to the remaining portion of the tooth and the process is complete.
The life of a dental crown will depend largely on the wearer. People with active lifestyles, or who play sports, may be forced to replace a dental crown before the end of its normal lifecycle if an injury causes damage. Aside from this type of scenario, dental crowns should last at least 10 years assuming proper oral hygiene is practiced and the wearer doesn’t have a problem with teeth grinding which can also significantly reduce the duration of the crown’s functionality.