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Types of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns have been
around for a long time, but the materials with which they have been made out
have really evolved in the past 30 years. That’s not to say that the procedure
has been perfected but I’d say that we are pretty close now. The following a general outline of what
kinds of options you have when you decide to get dental crowns.
There are three types of
dental crowns:
Metal
This type of crown can be
made of gold alloy, palladium, nickel alloy, or chromium alloy. Metal crowns
are ideal for use on the back teeth.
Ceramic
Ceramic crowns look like
normal teeth and are ideal for use on the front teeth. They are mildly tough
and are probably the most popular cosmetic option.
Porcelain fused to metal
(PFM)
PFM crowns are stronger than
ceramic crowns and look like normal teeth. They are used to correct both
aesthetic and structural damage.
The Dental Crown
Procedure
Depending on the extent of
the decay or damage to the tooth, the dentist may perform a root canal before
placing a crown on the tooth. If this is the case, the dentist may need to
build a foundation for the crown after the root canal has been performed, also
known as a "post-and-core" foundation.
Before the crown can be
placed on the tooth, the dentist must file the tooth down to make room for it.
Then an impression of the tooth and the surrounding teeth will be made. While
the crown is being created, a temporary acrylic crown will be placed on the
tooth.
When the permanent crowns
are ready, the temporary crowns are replaced at a separate visit. The crown
will last anywhere from seven to 40 years.
Cost of Dental Crowns
The cost of dental crowns
depends on the type of crown used, the number of crowns placed in the mouth,
and the area of the country in which the procedure is performed.
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