Dental crowns strengthen weak teeth and provide a support structure for bridges or implants. They also make reshaped or sized teeth look natural and protect them from future wear and breakage.
To create a crown, your dentist will file down the tooth that needs it and make an impression of the prepared tooth (or sometimes digital scans). There are several types of crowns.
Metal Crowns
Metal crowns are known for their resilience and resistance to wear. They are especially suitable for molars and can withstand the strains and stresses of chewing that would fracture more delicate porcelain crowns. They are also thinner than other dental crowns Glendale AZ, meaning less of the natural tooth is removed to place them.
Noble metal alloys have a high biocompatibility rating and reduce the risk of allergies. They include gold, platinum, palladium, and cobalt-chromium crowns. Base metal alloys, made from nickel and chromium, are strong and affordable but can cause allergies in some patients.
When selecting the best material for your dental restoration, there is no single answer that fits every case. However, a general rule of thumb is to choose stronger, more esthetic materials for the back teeth and more durable, less aesthetically pleasing materials for the front. This is a good choice when chewing forces are more intense in the back of the mouth, and less force is exerted on adjacent teeth.
Porcelain Crowns
Dental crowns, which are tooth caps that are placed on damaged teeth, are often used to repair and improve the appearance of a patient’s smile. In addition, these restorations can strengthen and improve the functionality of a damaged tooth.
Porcelain crowns are made from ceramic materials such as feldspathic porcelain or zirconia. These materials are typically characterized by their aesthetic properties, with zirconia being able to achieve the highest level of beauty when processed as monolithic full strength or pre-shaded anterior esthetic crowns.
While these dental crowns are durable and can withstand biting and chewing stresses, they are still susceptible to decay and should be cared for as one would their natural teeth. This includes regular brushing and flossing. It is also important to avoid eating hard, sticky, or chewy foods that could potentially damage or dislodge a porcelain dental crowns Glendale AZ. Patients should consult with their dentists to obtain specific dietary recommendations.
Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia crowns are one of the newer materials to enter dentistry and have quickly become a popular choice for their proven perks. They are made out of a ceramic, specifically zirconium oxide, and are much stronger than some metal alloys. They are also able to withstand bite forces without fracturing.
This strength allows them to be made thinner than other types of crowns and help preserve more natural tooth structure. Zirconia is available in both layered and monolithic forms. Layered zirconia crowns are coated with a porcelain on the visible surfaces, which creates a more lifelike aesthetic. However, the occlusal surfaces are still full zirconia to ensure durability.
Aesthetic Crowns
Dental aesthetic crowns restore the function and beauty of damaged teeth. They can conceal severe discoloration, close gaps between teeth, alter the shape and size of teeth, correct minor chips, and even support dental bonding or veneers for a comprehensive restorative treatment plan.
Durability: Aesthetic dental crowns Glendale AZ are made from high-quality materials that provide durability and longevity. When properly cared for and maintained, they will last for many years.
Color Matching: Dental professionals use several techniques to ensure that the crowns match the shade and appearance of nearby natural teeth. They will review a shade guide with you, take digital photos of your mouth, and use computer software to create a virtual design model for the crowns.
Aesthetic crowns are fabricated in two separate appointments. During your first appointment, the dentist will clean and prepare the tooth. They will then take impressions of your smile and send them to the lab for fabrication of the custom crowns. During your second appointment, the dentist will cement the crowns into place.