Dental crowns are a popular way to fix a broken tooth. Crowns are caps that are placed on top of chipped or damaged teeth to make your smile even and prevent further injury to the tooth.
When choosing the right dental crown for your procedure, there are many factors to think about. You’ll want to consider the material the crown is made of and how much the crown costs. Here are several types of dental crowns, so you can ensure you understand your choices and make the right decision for your oral health.
What is a Dental Crown
A dental crown is an artificial cover or cap that is placed on top of a damaged tooth. Dental crowns are designed to match the color of your tooth’s enamel, so they blend seamlessly into your smile.
You may need a crown if you discover a cracked, broken, or severely worn down tooth. Crowns are also a good option if you have a cavity that is too large for a filling or if you need to fill in a missing tooth following a tooth implant. If you have a root canal procedure, your tooth is topped by a crown to prevent bacteria from reentering the pulp chamber.
Crowns serve a visual and functional purpose. They protect the tooth structure, fill in spaces, and give you a more even, aesthetically pleasing smile.
Materials
Dental crowns are made from a variety of materials, each with its benefits and downsides. It is best to become familiar with the choices your dentist has available to select the material for your crown that meets your needs and is durable.
Metal
Metal crowns are durable and long-lasting. Nickel, chromium, titanium, and stainless steel crowns are all commonly used. When it comes to crown placement, metals are typically only used for molar crowns because of their color; however, these base metal alloys can withstand the chewing and grinding that these back teeth must perform.
Ceramic
Ceramic crowns are made of pressed ceramic material. These crowns are often used on front teeth because they are closest in color to natural tooth enamel. Ceramic crowns are not sensitive to temperature, which is useful if you suffer from sensitivity to hot or cold foods. Ceramic crowns are an excellent alternative for those with metal allergies.
Porcelain
You may choose porcelain for aesthetic crown procedures such as front teeth crowns. Porcelain is not as strong as metal or ceramic, so at Owens Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we offer crowns made of porcelain fused to a metal crown. This gives your crown a strong base that will last for the long term, while the visible porcelain crown maintains the whiteness of your smile. Porcelain-on-metal crowns are also gentler on your surrounding teeth.
Composite Resin
Composite resin crowns are made out of a mixture of plastic resin materials colored to match your natural teeth. If dental crown costs are important to you, then resin crowns may be a good choice. They cost less than other types of crowns; however, they may chip or break more easily than ceramic or metal crowns.
Costs of Dental Crowns
The cost of dental crowns varies based on the material you and your dentist decide to use and whether or not your crowns are temporary, permanent, full, or three-quarter crowns.
Schedule a Dental Crown Consultation
Crowns are an outstanding tooth restoration option to protect your teeth and complete your smile. But addressing different oral health issues may require using various types of materials to build your crowns.
To schedule a dental crown consultation, call Owens Cosmetic and Family Dentistry. Our experienced team can answer any of your questions about different types of dental crowns, dental crown procedures, and the associated costs.