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.ﾠ 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.