Dental crowns are one of the most common dental treatments in the United States. But if you’ve never gotten a crown before, or you just want to learn more about dentistry, you may have some questions about the procedure.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Essentially, a dental crown is a hollow false tooth. It’s hollow because the crown is built to fit over your remaining enamel. The crown covers up the natural tooth structure all the way to the gum line, and it restores the natural shape, function, and appearance of your tooth.
Crowns are a restorative treatment. This means they’re used to restore damaged teeth. Crowns may be recommended when a tooth has severe decay, has been treated with root canal therapy to remove an infection, or to restore a tooth damaged by dental trauma.
Dental crowns also are used to restore dental implants, replacing a single missing tooth. More rarely, they’re used for cosmetic purposes. However, crowns are only used for cosmetic reasons when other treatments like dental bonding or veneers are not appropriate, since the procedure is more invasive and expensive.
What Types Of Dental Crowns Are There? What Are They Made Of?
There are five common types of dental crowns used in dentistry. They all do the same thing, but they are made of different materials. Let’s take a look at each type of crown now.
- Ceramic – Pure ceramic crowns offer excellent durability and aesthetics. The ceramic used to make these crowns looks and feels just like enamel, making them a great choice for natural-looking restorations.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) – PFM crowns are made of a metal base that has a porcelain shell. They combine the durability of metal crowns with the cosmetic appearance of ceramic crowns, and are often the best choice for most patients.
- Gold – Gold crowns are becoming less common, but are highly durable and very strong. They are ideal for rear teeth, since they are pliable and hold up well to the heavy chewing forces of the molars and premolars. Gold is not usually used in front teeth due to its unnatural appearance.
- Stainless steel – Stainless steel crowns are usually used for kids. They are meant to cover up and protect damaged baby teeth until they fall out naturally. Stainless steel is ideal for this because it’s inexpensive, yet strong and durable enough to protect the tooth.
- Resin – Resin crowns are used to cover up teeth temporarily between appointments at our office. They are not meant for permanent smile restoration, since resin is not strong enough to offer long-term protection.
How Do I Clean And Take Care Of Dental Crowns?
Just brush and floss normally, and see the team at Rio Vista Family Dentistry for a teeth cleaning and oral exam every six months. That’s it! You can clean and care for your dental crowns just like you would care for your natural teeth.
Need A Crown In San Diego? Contact Rio Vista Family Dentistry Today!
Dental crowns are ideal for restoring your smile and your bite, and protecting your teeth from further damage. If you think that you may need a crown in San Diego, our team is here to help. Contact Rio Vista Family Dentistry online or call us at (619) 299-1122 to get the care you need.
