Patients Guide to Dental Crowns
What happens if the decay is so large that an amalgam or composite resin restoration will not suffice? In these cases, the treatment of choice is a dental crown. Thinking what is a dental crown? Keep reading, here you’ll find detailed information of dental crowns and its types.
Dental Crowns
A crown is like a thimble, covering and supporting a single tooth. Tooth structure is removed circumferentially, leaving a peg-shaped crown preparation. An impression of the prepared tooth is recorded and then models and dies are prepared. Dental Crowns in Boston MA are used on teeth to:
- Restore the form of a badly broken down tooth.
- Improve the appearance of an unsightly tooth.
- Support a weak tooth, and
- Acts as a retainer for bridgework.
Types of Dental crowns
Porcelain Jacket Crowns – Traditional porcelain jacket crowns are made by mixing porcelain powders of various colors with water to form a paste. This mixture is carefully manipulated for color and shape so that the finished crown will match patient’s other teeth. After shaping, drying and baking, the porcelain crown is fired and finished. If it is satisfactory, it is cemented to the patient’s tooth.
Although porcelain jacket crowns are highly aesthetic but unfortunately prone to fracture. It has largely been superseded by porcelain fused to metal and all-ceramic crowns.
Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns – Porcelain fused to metal is the most common type of crown as it is both strong and aesthetic. A thin thimble of metal alloy is first cast and fitted to the die. The metal commonly used is gold alloy. Porcelain is then fused permanently over the metal casting to hide the visible metal and match the appearance of the patient’s other teeth.
All-Ceramic Crowns – These are the most aesthetic crowns currently available. There are a number of different types. Depending upon the type, they may be cemented or bonded to the tooth. They are not as strong as the traditional porcelain fused to metal crowns and are generally used on anterior teeth. These sometimes require bonding to tooth structure for support.
Gold Crown – The gold crown is made entirely from a gold alloy, and therefore its use is usually confined to posterior teeth, where it is less visible. It is a strong restoration that is useful if the patient has a heavy bite.
Acrylic Resin Crown – Acrylic resin crown are easier and cheaper to make than porcelain and gold. They are generally used as temporary crowns while the permanent crowns are made. Acrylic is not as aesthetic or strong as porcelain and tends to wear and stain.
If you find difficulties in choosing the perfect crown for your tooth, seek help of an experienced cosmetic dentist in Boston MA. They will guide and explain you which one matches your budget and tooth condition. Then why wait, rush to the cosmetic dentist now and enhance your smile.
