What Are The Different Types of Dental Crowns?
If you have a tooth that is severely cracked, decayed or otherwise damaged, it is imperative that you have the damage addressed. If left untreated, a damaged tooth will continue to worsen. Eventually the tooth will become so corrupted that the only possible solution will be extraction. Once you make the decision to have your damaged tooth treated, your dentist will consider different options for the repair of the damaged tooth. One popular option for the repair of more severely damaged teeth is dental crowns.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are dental appliances that are used to restore broken teeth. This repair option involves the placement of a “cap” on top of a reshaped natural tooth—allowing the patient to maintain a portion of their healthy tooth. Prosthetic crowns are relatively durable, and can allow a patient to bite, chew and enjoy many of the foods that they enjoyed before their tooth was damaged.
Dental crowns can also be made with materials that closely resemble natural teeth. This allows the patient to smile with confidence, and without the fear of people noticing that they’ve had a tooth repaired.
Types of Dental Crowns
While all dental crowns replace the crown of a patient’s teeth, there are actually different types of crowns that a patient will often have the option of choosing from. Below are four options for the materials used for the creation of a dental crown:
Porcelain-Fused to Metal
Porcelain-fused to metal is a very popular option for crowns because of both how durable porcelain-fused to metal crowns are, as well as how closely they can resemble the natural tooth that is being replaced. Porcelain-fused to metal crowns often seamlessly blend into a patient’s smile, and go unnoticed.
Ceramic
Ceramic is another popular option for patients that want their crown to look natural. Unfortunately, ceramic crowns are often less durable than porcelain-fused to metal.
Gold Alloys
Gold alloy dental crowns are a mixture of gold along with other metals. Gold is a very durable replacement option, that offers a higher level of protection. The main tradeoff with gold is how noticeable it is.
Metal Alloys
Metal alloy dental crowns are extremely durable, but like gold alloy crowns, they are very noticeable. This can make them a great option for molars.
Which Is Right for Me?
The option of which type of dental crown is right for you will depend on a few factors, including cost and cosmetic appearance. If a front tooth is being replaced, most patients prefer porcelain-fused to metal or ceramic because of their ability to closely resemble natural teeth. For more durability and functionality, gold or metal alloys may be the best option. Their durability makes them a good option for the replacement of the crowns of patients’ molars.
Speak with your dentist about whether a dental crown is necessary for the repair of your tooth. From there, you can discuss the different types of crowns, and which type will be best for your particular needs.
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