Types of Dental Crowns You Need to Know
Depending on the condition of your mouth at any one time, your dentist performs several different types of procedures.
Although teeth cleanings, cavity fillings, and bondings comprise some of the routine sessions, more involved procedures are now common and easy to complete. In addition to root canals and wisdom tooth extractions, dental crowns are often needed as well.
When anyone advises you for choosing a dental crown in phoenix, you instantly start thinking about the types of dental crowns.
This is because today many different types of crowns vary depending on materials, cost, procedures, and patients’ needs. This brief guide will assist you to understand the various kinds of dental crowns in phoenix.
What Are Dental Crowns and Why They are Used?
A dental crown (also named as a cap) is a fixed prosthetic object that is cemented onto a tooth.
The main purpose of a crown is to hide a damaged tooth in the out of the patient. It also strengthens the tooth, thereby improving its overall appearance and alignment in the mouth.
Due to their many uses, it’s important to understand the different types of dental crowns available and the advantages of each.
What Type of Dental Crown Should You Choose?
There are five main types of crowns:
- Gold Crowns
Gold crowns are a combination of copper and other metals, such as nickel or chromium. Strength and durability is the main benefit of gold crowns.
For back restorations and looking at each patient’s needs a cosmetic dentist in Phoenix may suggest a gold crown as the preferred option.
However, gold crowns don’t make a really popular choice today because of their color and aesthetics.
Key Points:
- They are strong and highly resistant
- They can last long if properly cared for
- Less proportion of your natural tooth needs to be removed
- They wear down quite slowly, same as the natural enamel
- They are ideal for posterior restorations i.e. back teeth (especially second molars)
- All Porcelain Crowns
This is the most popular type of crown used nowadays. They are entirely made of porcelain material.
Key Points:
- Porcelain or ceramic crowns provide the best natural look by matching your surrounding teeth in shape, size, and color.
- They are the best option for front teeth restorations.
- They are biocompatible that means no metal is used, so they are toxic-free.
- Porcelain Fused-to-Metal Crowns (PFM)
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns are another widely used type of dental crown in Phoenix cosmetic dentistry. They provide strength as well as aesthetics due to their metal structure and porcelain coat that covers the cap.
Key Points:
- They provide great aesthetics and durability
- They’ve been around for over 50 years. We know they work well.
- They are less costly than all-porcelain crowns
- Zirconia Crowns
Zirconium is a relatively new material that contains the strength of metal with the aesthetics of porcelain crowns.
High translucent zirconia and layered zirconia crowns have become a more popular and preferred choice lately.
Key Points:
- They provide great aesthetics
- They are strong and long-lasting (fewer possibilities of chipping or breaking).
- The process is less time consuming as zirconia can be cut and shaped at the same dental office. So, there’s no need to send them to a dental lab.
- Zirconia Crowns are less likely to wear down due to its strength.
- They are biocompatible: as metal-free crowns, they are not likely to cause allergic reactions.
- E- MAX: Lithium Disilicate Crowns
E -Max is the newest type of crown in phoenix cosmetic dentistry
today. It is a type of all-ceramic crown made of lithium disilicate (which is light and thin).
Key Points:
- Great aesthetics – They look great in your mouth.
- They can be durable and very strong.
- They provide a great choice both for front and back teeth.
Conclusion:
Dental crowns are placed to guard, cover and restore damaged teeth when fillings don’t solve the problem. Crowns are often made up of metals, porcelain, resin, ceramics, and other materials.
You might have a crown over a molar that rarely shows, except when you yawn widely, or you might have crowns on your front teeth that were specifically designed to match your other teeth.
Several factors are important to consider when choosing a crown, including cost, strength, and durability. A natural appearance that doesn’t detract from your smile can also be a priority for you.
A cosmetic dentist in phoenix can discuss the various options and help you to figure out what best meets your needs.