Are Tooth Crowns the right option for me?
Grinding your teeth, an improper bite, age, fillings and tooth decay can all be contributing factors in the wearing down, cracking or breakage of your teeth. Dental crowns cover the entire visible surface of your affected tooth and add strength, durability and tooth stability. Your dentist will usually be able to spot problem areas in your mouth that might lead to tooth damage and a need for crowns. Chewing patterns play a big role as well.
In other instances, crowns are used to replace an actual missing tooth. These crowns are anchored to the teeth on either side, with a bridge section connecting the two crowns. Instead of bridges, single tooth dental implants may be used that eliminate the need for supporting the crowns.
Types of Tooth Crowns
There are basically three types of crowns, those made of gold, ceramic crowns and ceramic-veneered gold crowns. Gold and metal-ceramic crowns are extremely durable and are normally used in molars, where the forces from chewing and grinding are most prevalent. Ceramic crowns are used primarily for front teeth, since they can best resemble the natural tooth color.
Just as there are different types of cars or handbags so too there are different types of crowns. If you have high expectations as to the appearance of the final teeth you would need the most advanced crown type. For example if you are in the public eye and rely on a perfect smile all the time you would be better off getting an all ceramic crown from Da Vinci as they are the world experts in long lasting beautiful teeth. If on the other hand you have weak teeth and are only seeking a basic improvement in appearance you would be ok with a more basic crown type.
Resin and Porcelain Crowns
The new reinforced resin or bonded all-porcelain type of crown has the nicest appearance. This crown can be made from pure ceramic or a new reinforced composite resin, and is almost indistinguishable from natural teeth. The new bonding technology involved provides an exceptional bond your tooth. It is metal-free, and thus satisfies the needs of patients with metal sensitivities. When correcting your back teeth with bonding, the cosmetic dentist will perform a tooth colored onlay. This type of procedure is used to correct only those parts of the tooth that are in need. This is a metal-free procedure.
Crowns Made of Gold
Gold crowns are appropriate when appearance is not a priority to you. The gold metal is extremely workable making gold crowns a more precise fit than any other type. While there exists a slight possibility of chipping with porcelain crowns, gold crowns provide no such possibility.
Porcelain and Metal Crowns
For a very natural appearance, porcelain fused to metal crowns are the answer. However, they have a metal substructure and require an opaque below the porcelain. This can make the translucency of natural teeth difficult to replicate. Occasionally a darker line will be visible at the edge of the crown, near to your gum when it recedes with age. An all ceramic crown may also appear more natural is it is translucent as the following picture shows.
Note: Costs vary depending on the type of crown you choose. This fee is tax deductible and volume discounts are available in certain circumstances. Please check out the Fees page for full details.