Dental crowns are a custom-fitted tooth prosthesis that can be used to restore damaged or missing teeth. Crowns (sometimes referred to patient’s as “caps”) are fixed over the surfaces of natural teeth or dental implants. There are many types of crowns with different materials: a full porcelain crown, a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, a Zirconia crown, a full gold crowns,etc. Force of occlusion and aesthetics usually determine which of these options is the most appropriate for your situation.
Did you know? There is usually a limit to the amount of times a tooth can be filled. Up to a certain point a large filling will not be strong enough to withstand the forces of chewing anymore. Therefore Dr. Son or Dr. Hira may recommend a full crown as the best viable option to save a tooth.
Why?
Another common problem with teeth is that they tend to crack. Certain foods or abnormal forces can cause stress on the teeth. clenching and grinding habits can also contribute to cracking of the teeth. Even previous Amalgam restorations on the teeth can lead to fractures or cracks along the teeth.
If a filling is too large, the tooth has substantial damage or there is a crack your tooth, a crown may be your best option. A crown can restore full coverage to the tooth, helping strengthen it and prevent it from cracking.
A crown is also recommended after Root Canal Therapy. If the tooth has become infected and requires a Root Canal, the process of cleaning out the roots often weakens the tooth. A Full coverage crown can provide the needed strength to prevent any possible fractures in these teeth that have undergone Root Canal Therapy.
Crowns can also be used in the anterior area to create beautiful esthetics. They can restore a smile to a brand-new sparkling one.
Benefits
Crowns, whether made from porcelain, metal or a combination, are often stronger than most filling materials used in dentistry today. They are often smoother and retain less bacteria as well.
They are fabricated in a laboratory by a technician therefore they provide a much more accurate fit to your tooth. They also come in a variety of colors and can match any shade of your teeth, therefore, they are highly aesthetic.
