What are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is an aesthetic dentistry procedure in which a tooth-shaped cap is placed over a tooth to improve its appearance and correct any issue within its shape, size or strength. Crowns are also used to cover a dental implant tooth.
This treatment is mainly aesthetic, but it also contributes to improving the bite.
Uses
A dental crown can be used in any of these cases:
- Weak tooth protection: A dental crown can be used to protect and avoid the breaking of a weak tooth. This procedure is used as well to maintain together the parts of a cracked tooth.
- Restorative tooth treatment: Broken or severely worn down tooth can be restored with dental crowns treatment.
- To keep a dental bridge in place.
- To improve the appearance of a tooth: a dental crown is mainly used to correct dental aesthetic issues like a misshapen or severely discolored tooth. This procedure is used as well to make other cosmetic modifications to the tooth or to cover dental implants.
- To protect children primary teeth: dental crowns can be used in children with issues to keep a proper oral hygiene to avoid the development of tooth decay or to save a decayed tooth.
Types
Dental Crowns can be temporary or permanent. The temporary crowns are usually fabricated of an acrylic-based material or stainless steel in a dentist office. The type of temporary crowns can be used while a permanent crown is made in a dental laboratory.
- Ceramic or porcelain dental crowns: this type of crowns matches the natural color of the teeth better, which gives the treated tooth a natural effect. If you present any allergic reaction to metal this crown material is more suitable for you.
- Stainless steel crowns: these crowns are prefabricated and used as a temporary measure on permanent teeth while a permanent crown is fabricated of another material. The stainless steel crowns are the ones commonly used in children.
- Resin dental crowns: these type of crowns has some disadvantages as they can wear down easily over time and are prone to fractures. The advantage of this type of crown is that it is cheaper than others.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal: these type of crown can be used for the front or back teeth and its color can match easily the natural color of teeth.
- Metal crowns: this type of crowns are usually used for molars as they are out of sight since its metallic color can be easily notable. The first advantage of this crowns is its resistance to wear down and chewing and biting forces.
How Much a Dental Crown Treatment Costs?
The price of a dental crown treatment can change according to many factors. The country you live in and the type of crown are some of the factors that determine the cost of this treatment. To know the price of your dental crown procedure you must ask your dentist after a checkup and also contact your insurance company to see what portion of the treatment is covered.