What Are the Different Types of Dental Crowns Used For?
Posted on 4/15/2020 by Barbara Ketchum
We believe that dental crowns are ideal restorations for people who wish to preserve a badly decayed tooth or want to save a tooth after a root canal. However, these prosthetic devices come in different types, and therefore, you need to understand the differences. They can be used to fill gaps or may be cemented or affixed directly to an implant or an existing tooth. Read about how crowns are made to get a better insight about their structure and use.
Ceramic Crowns and Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns
The most used type of dental crown is the ceramic, or porcelain-type crown. This type of crown is often used to restore the front teeth. Because of their natural texture and hue, they can be blended easily with the surrounding natural teeth. We usually do not use these types of crown for biting teeth, such as molars or pre-molars, as they can easily destruct under too much pressure. However, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns can be used. This type of crown provides the best solution for function and aesthetics. The porcelain part of the tooth makes the crown look natural while the metal can handle stress and pressure. We need to remove a moderate amount of a tooth's structure when placing this restoration.
Gold Alloys and Base Metal Alloys
Crowns made of gold alloys are made up of gold, copper, and various metals. This crown is often used because it will not wear away or cause the tooth beneath to deteriorate. The gold alloy is biocompatible with the gum tissue as well. Base metal alloys are also incredibly strong. They contain non-noble metals, which means they are gentle against the adjacent teeth. We only need to remove a minimum amount of the tooth when placing a gold or metal alloy crown is used.
We can use crowns to protect a tooth from further decay or damage, to restore a worn-down tooth, or to replace a large filling in a tooth. Crowns are used to cover misshapen teeth or discoloring, or to solidify a dental bridge. They are regularly used to cover implants. If you want to improve your smile, this is one effective way to do so. Contact us today if you feel you could benefit from this restoration or would like to learn more.
We believe that dental crowns are ideal restorations for people who wish to preserve a badly decayed tooth or want to save a tooth after a root canal. However, these prosthetic devices come in different types, and therefore, you need to understand the differences. They can be used to fill gaps or may be cemented or affixed directly to an implant or an existing tooth. Read about how crowns are made to get a better insight about their structure and use.