When restoring a damaged tooth, dental crowns are one of the leading treatments for protecting and preserving your smile. However, did you know there are several types of dental crowns available?
In this blog, we will discuss the types of dental crowns available so that you can decide which type is best for your smile.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Known interchangeably as dental crowns, tooth crowns, dental caps or tooth caps, these are custom-designed oral prostheses that completely encase or cover the visible portion of a tooth.
Typically, dental crowns are utilised for safeguarding teeth that have been compromised or weakened by various factors.
A tooth crown can be utilised for both anterior and posterior teeth and is frequently employed in conjunction with other dental treatments, such as root canal treatment and dental implants.
Who Needs Dental Crowns?
There are many reasons you may need one or more dental crowns. The reasons for dental crowns can be broadly categorised into functional, aesthetic, and preventive.
Here are some detailed explanations for various scenarios where dental crowns may be required:
Extensive Tooth Decay
Dental crowns may be recommended when a tooth has lost much of its structure due to cavities or decay.
In such cases, a simple tooth filling may not be sufficient to restore the integrity and strength of the damaged tooth, making a dental crown necessary to protect and support the remaining tooth structure.
Post-Root Canal Treatment
After root canal therapy, the affected tooth becomes brittle and vulnerable to fractures. A dental crown is often placed over the weak tooth to reinforce and protect against further damage.
Fractured or Broken Teeth
Accidents, sports injuries, or biting down on a hard piece of food can lead to fractured or broken teeth.
In such cases, a dental crown can help restore the tooth’s original form and function, preventing further damage and discomfort.
Severely Worn-Down Teeth
Over time, teeth can become worn down due to habits like teeth grinding (bruxism) or natural wear and tear.
Dental crowns can restore the teeth to their normal size and shape, alleviating the stress on the jaw joint and improving the bite functionality.
Misshapen or Discolored Teeth
Some individuals may have congenitally misshapen or discoloured teeth that can affect their appearance and self-confidence.
Dental crowns can improve the shape, colour, and overall appearance of such teeth, enhancing the person’s smile and overall facial aesthetics.
Dental Implants Restoration
When a dental implant is used to replace a missing tooth, a dental crown is often used as the final restoration to cover the implant post, providing a natural-looking and functional tooth replacement.
Bridging Gaps Between Teeth
Dental crowns can also be used as part of a dental bridge to replace missing teeth. The crowns are placed on either side of the gap and have a false tooth (pontic) attached to fill the empty space.
Preventive Measures
In certain situations, dental crowns can be used as a preventive measure to protect teeth at risk of damage or fracture, such as teeth that have been weakened by large fillings, extensive wear, or previous dental procedures.
Large Fillings
When a tooth has a large filling that leaves little of the natural tooth structure, a dental crown may be necessary to strengthen and protect the remaining tooth. The crown can help maintain the tooth’s function and prevent it from further deterioration due to ongoing wear and tear.
Permanent vs Temporary Dental Crowns: Differences Explained
There are two types of dental crowns, permanent and temporary. While both serve critical roles in tooth restoration and protection, understanding the differences between them will help you if you need a dental crown procedure.
A permanent crown will differ from a temporary crown in terms of purpose, longevity, and placement procedure.
Purpose
The main distinction between these two types of crowns lies in their intended purpose. A permanent dental crown is designed to provide a lasting solution to a damaged or decayed tooth, restoring its shape, size, and function.
In contrast, a temporary dental crown serves as a provisional measure, offering protection and stability to the affected tooth until the permanent crown is fabricated and ready for placement.
Longevity
In terms of longevity, permanent crowns exhibit higher durability and resilience. They are crafted to endure the daily rigours of biting and chewing for an extended period, typically lasting 10-15 years or even longer with proper care.
Conversely, temporary crowns are constructed with a shorter life expectancy, as they are only meant to safeguard the tooth for a limited time, usually from a few weeks to months.
Placement
The placement procedure further underscores the disparity between these two dental solutions. Permanent dental crowns necessitate a more intricate and time-consuming process, often requiring multiple visits to the dentist.
The procedure involves taking accurate impressions of the affected tooth, which are then sent to a dental laboratory to fabricate a custom-made crown. Once ready, the dentist removes the temporary crown (if present), prepares the tooth, and cements the permanent crown into place, ensuring a precise fit and occlusion.
On the other hand, temporary crowns are crafted chairside by the dentist, utilising prefabricated templates or moulds. Consequently, their placement involves a less complex and more expedient procedure.
Comfort and Aesthetics
Lastly, the level of comfort and aesthetics provided by permanent and temporary crowns differs significantly.
Permanent dental crowns are meticulously designed to resemble the natural appearance of the patient’s teeth, ensuring seamless integration into their smile.
Moreover, these crowns are tailored to provide optimal comfort and functionality, thus allowing the patient to carry out normal activities such as eating, speaking, and maintaining oral hygiene without any hindrances.
However, temporary crowns may not offer the same degree of exactness in shape and colour, resulting in a less-than-ideal fit and less appealing appearance during their temporary tenure in the patient’s mouth.
Types of Dental Crowns
There are different types of dental crowns, each with unique features that make them best suited for individuals.
Metal Crowns
Metallic dental crowns are usually made of gold or another metal alloy like palladium or base-metal alloys.
These types of crowns are strong, durable, and can easily withstand the force of chewing. They also last longer than other types of crowns; some metallic crowns can even last up to 15 years!
The downside is that metallic dental crowns aren’t aesthetically pleasing and can look unnatural if used on front teeth.
Porcelain Fused To Metal (PFM) Crowns
Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns combines the strength of metal with the aesthetic value of porcelain. These crowns use both materials in their construction – a metal base with a porcelain coating – which makes them both strong and attractive.
PFM crowns are often used for front teeth because they resemble natural tooth enamel in colour and texture.
However, since PFM crowns use two different materials, they can chip or break more easily than other dental crowns.
All Ceramic Crowns
All ceramic or full ceramic crowns are made entirely from porcelain material, so they closely match the colour and texture of natural teeth enamel.
This makes them perfect for restoring front teeth as they blend seamlessly with your other teeth when placed in your mouth. Ceramic dental crowns also don’t contain any metals, so they won’t cause any allergic reactions like some other types of dental work.
However, all-ceramic dental work is more fragile than its metallic counterparts, so it may not be ideal for molars where more force is applied when chewing food items.
Resin Crowns
Composed of a high-quality composite resin material, these crowns are meticulously designed to resemble the patient’s natural tooth in both form and function.
They have remarkable strength and durability and exceptional adhesive characteristics, enabling a strong bond with your existing tooth structure. The biocompatible nature of the composite material implies minimal to no allergic reactions, and reduced tooth sensitivity, significantly enhancing the patient’s overall comfort and satisfaction.
Resin dental crown procedure is less invasive, with a conservative approach taken during tooth preparation, resulting in a healthier tooth structure.
In conclusion, many different types of dental crowns are available depending on your needs and budget requirements.
It’s important to speak with us about which type would best suit your individual needs before making a decision about which one to choose.
Whether you choose metal, resin, ceramic or porcelain crowns, know that each option has unique benefits that should be carefully considered before making any final decisions about what type will work best for you!
How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost
The cost of dental crowns in Australia is dependent on various factors such as the location of the dental clinic, the skill of the dentist and a few others.
Generally, the cost of a tooth crown is $1000 but this figure is independent of all other variables such as dental treatments that end with the fitting of a crown, such as root canal or implant treatments.
At MyHM Dentist, Dr Matsuoka and her competent team will examine your mouth and run any diagnostic tests necessary before giving you a final price.
We are happy to accept leading dental insurance plans and offer promotions on various dental treatments that include dental crowns, so we recommend you visit our website, or just talk to our friendly and empathetic team for details on making tooth crowns affordable for you.
Take the first step towards a perfect smile – book an appointment with MyHM Dentist today!
Your smile deserves the best care, and with our team led by the esteemed Dr Matsuoka, your dental needs will be met with unparalleled precision and empathy.
Our state-of-the-art technology, combined with our renowned 5-star reputation amongst loyal patients, make MyHM the perfect choice for optimising your oral health and transforming your smile with the help of dental crowns.
Join a family of satisfied patients who trust and rely on our expert care and compassionate approach. Our highest priority is your oral well-being and comfort, so we have created a comfortable atmosphere and flexible scheduling options to accommodate your needs.
Experience the exceptional care, cutting-edge technology, and personalised attention we provide to ensure your dental crowns are of the highest quality.
It’s time to invest in your smile and embrace the long-lasting benefits of our dental expertise. Contact us now on (02) 9158 6379!
Resources
Dental Crowns: Types, Procedure & Care | Cleveland Clinic
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10923-dental-crowns
Different Types Of Dental Crowns | Colgate®
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/bridges-and-crowns/different-types-of-dental-crowns#
