One of the three primary materials of a dental implant is the crown. This component makes it possible for the implant to look, feel, and function like a natural tooth. Dental crowns are an effective solution to many problems, such as a cracked or broken tooth.

What Is a Dental Crown?

A crown is a “cap,” or a cover that dentists use to put on a tooth. This helps restore the patient’s pearly whites to their natural shape. Its main purpose is to make the tooth stronger and improve its appearance.

A crown has a lot of uses, too. The dentist cements this fixed prosthetic to the existing tooth or implant. This is also used in dental bridges to fill a gap in the patient’s mouth. Once it’s in place, only the dentist can remove it.

Who Needs It?

A dentist may recommend a dental crown to patients who:

have a missing tooth and need a bridge
need to cover an implant
have cavities and are not qualified for a filling
have badly-shaped or discolored tooth
have a weakened, worn down, or cracked tooth
have had a root canal treatment

Benefits of Crowns

A single crown offers many advantages. First, it serves as the patient’s protection against tooth decay. Second, it helps restore the person’s ability to chew properly.

A dental crown also helps improve a person’s self-confidence. By having a crown over a broken tooth, a person can have a better-looking smile. And finally, it’s a long-lasting solution to a decayed, broken, or missing tooth.

Types of Crowns

There are four types of crowns a dentist can use. Each of these materials offers different advantages to the patient. The dentist will decide which crown a patient needs. They have to consider factors such as the location and position of gum tissue.

Ceramic

This type of dental crown is made of a porcelain-based material. Dentists use a ceramic crown to restore a patient’s front teeth.

Ceramic crowns have a certain texture and natural color. These characteristics give them the capability to blend with other natural teeth. They have a hard inner core and are also wear-resistant; thus, they’re a long-lasting option for patients.

Porcelain-Fused to Metal

These types of crowns are attached to a metal structure, which offers more protection. The bonding of metal and porcelain to the tooth makes this type long-lasting.

A porcelain-fused to metal crown can offer the best of both worlds. The crown’s porcelain part gives the person a natural-looking tooth while its metal structure provides durability. It also has a great seal, which prevents leakage of the filling.

Gold Alloys

This crown is a mixture of gold, copper, and other metals. Like porcelain-fused to metal crowns, this type creates a strong bond to the person’s tooth.

Gold alloy crowns do not fracture and tear the tooth beneath it. This type of crown is also biocompatible with the gum tissues and has a good seal that prevents leakage.

Base Metal Alloys

These crowns are made up of non-noble metals, which makes them resistant to corrosion. They are also wear-resistant and don’t damage the teeth next to them.

With this option, the dentist will only remove a small amount of the patient’s tooth. This type of crown also offers a good seal and prevents any potential leakage.

How Is a Crown Placed?

To place the crown properly, the dentist has to follow several steps. Generally, the patient will have to visit the clinic at least twice for the treatment.

Preparation

During the first step, the dentist will prepare the patient’s tooth by removing its outer part. This will help them determine the size of the crown. They will also remove any damaged tissue or decay from the tooth.

Impression

After cutting down the patient’s tooth, an impression will be created. This will be used to make the permanent crown. Meanwhile, the dentist will put a temporary one to cover the person’s tooth.

Creation

Once the temporary tooth is in place, the patient will have to wait for at least two weeks. Patients should avoid hot, cold, and sticky food. Chewing gum is also not allowed. During the two-week waiting period, our in-house laboratory technician will create a permanent crown.

Completion

After two weeks, the patient will come back to the dentist to complete the crown placement. They will remove the temporary crown and clean the tooth. Once finished, they will place the permanent one in the patient’s mouth and do adjustments. Once it fits naturally, the crown will be cemented in place.

How to Take Care of It?

The life span of a crown usually lasts between 10 to 30 years. But this depends on the materials used and the patient’s oral habits. To preserve the life of the crown, the patient needs to do the following:

pick the best material
brush their teeth
avoid hard food
wear a mouth guard
avoid grinding teeth
stop nail biting
stop using teeth to open beverages or tear packaging

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost of crowns is based on many factors. These include the material used and the size and location of the tooth. The dentist’s experience and the cost of living in the patient’s area also affect its price.

A porcelain crown may cost around $800 to $3,000 per tooth. Base metal and gold alloys may cost an average of $830 up to $2,465. For porcelain-fused to metal crown, the price may be $875 to $1,400 per tooth. Remember that these prices are only estimates. The patient will need to talk with their dentist to know how much a dental crown will cost them.

Put a Crown on It

Dental crowns are a great solution to protect a person’s tooth. They have helped people regain their confidence by restoring their smiles. There are different materials used and each of them provides many advantages to the patient. Their prices also vary since there are different factors that need to be considered, such as the materials and tooth location.

If you want to learn more about crowns, contact Affordable Smiles today. We have a group of specialists who can further explain this treatment. We also offer crowns at an affordable price! Give us a call today to learn more and book your initial consultation.