What are dental crowns?

A dental crown is a cap shaped like a tooth that is placed over a damaged tooth to cover it. This tooth covering also helps restore its shape, size, strength, and helps to improve its appearance. The crown is put into place using cement and it fully encases the portion of the tooth that is visible at and above the gum line.

Dental crowns are used for many purposes. It can be used to replace a large filling when there is very little tooth remaining. It can protect a weak tooth from being fractured. It can be attached to a dental bridge. It can cover a dental implant. If your tooth is discolored or poorly shaped, a dental crown can cover it. After a root canal treatment, it is required that a dental crown be placed on the treated tooth. Dental crowns are great for cosmetic modifications as well.

Crown Bridges

When there are missing teeth, the remaining teeth can move into the space. This results in a bad bite. Missing teeth can also create an imbalance that can lead to gum disease and TMJ disorders.

This gap between the missing teeth can be bridged with a dental bridge. A dental bridge consists of 3 or more dental crowns and pontics or false teeth, that are fused and placed over several teeth. This helps fill the missing teeth. When the bridge is cemented in place, the visible portion of the anchor teeth will be fully encased.

When there are natural teeth on both sides of the gap created by the missing teeth, traditional crown bridges can be used. But there is a downside to this. The dentist will need to reshape the adjacent teeth by removing their enamel so that the crowns can be cemented on top. These teeth will then have to always be protected with crowns since their enamel will never grow back.

The Procedure For Getting a Crown

A topical anesthetic will first be applied by the dentist to the general area to make it numb. Then local anesthesia is applied to the gum and around the areas where the prep work will take place.

When getting the first shot, the patient will feel a slight pinch in the area. And since the area gets numb quite quickly, the succeeding shots are seldom felt at all. When the patient is adequately numbed, the dentist will begin the crown or bridge prep. There will be no pain felt at all by the patient.

After the prep, impressions of the prepped tooth or teeth will be taken so that it can be sent to the lab. Your dentist will consult with you regarding the shade and material to be used for your crown or bridge before the case is sent out to the lab.

It will take some time before your crown will be manufactured so the dental team will make a temporary tooth crown or bridge until the permanent crown or bridge arrives. You don’t wear a temporary tooth crown or bridge for a very long time. As soon as your permanent crown or bridge arrives, it should be removed.

When the procedure is completed, you will still feel numb for quite a while. You shouldn’t eat until the numbness wears off so you don’t get a chance to bite your tongue or lip. When the anesthesia wears off, you may feel a slight pain where the shot was given. This is just normal and will soon pass away. No pain medication is usually given. You should consult your dentist if you remain in pain for hours after the procedure.

Implant crowns

Dental implants replace the roots of teeth. Attached to dental implants are dental crowns. The only part you see in the mouth is the crown. The implant is surgically placed in the bone of the jaw to which it fuses.

Dental crowns are attached to the implant with the use of screws. To properly connect the implant to the crown, they must be properly placed, so that the crowns emerge through the gum tissues in exactly the right direction.

Maintenance of screw-retained implant crowns is easy. They can keep the implant crown in place and implant-crown components can easily be removed, repaired, or replaced without damaging the implant.

Dental implants can last a lifetime but most implant crowns don't. Sometimes they need to be replaced or repaired. if they are attached with screws, then it is much easier to replace or repair them. If the crowns are cemented, then it will be more difficult to remove. To facilitate removal, a weaker cement can be used but this can lead to a crown falling off during use because it is insecurely attached.

Types of Dental Crowns

Stainless steel crowns are mostly used for temporary measures. They are prefabricated and used on permanent teeth. While a permanent crown is being made, a stainless steel crown can protect the tooth temporarily.

Metal crowns are made of alloys with high gold or platinum content. Or they can also be made of base-metal alloys. Metal crowns can withstand the forces of biting and chewing and it takes the longest to wear down. They don’t usually chip or break. Its disadvantage is that it is metallic in color and when it is made of gold, then you can expect a high price. These types of crowns are ideal for molars that are out of sight.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns can easily match the color of adjacent teeth. The porcelain portion of the crown can also easily chip or break. However, this type of crown looks more like normal teeth. But the metal underlying the crown’s porcelain tends to show through as a dark line at the gum line. It is, however, ideal for front or back teeth and for long bridges that need strength from the metal.

All-resin dental crowns are the cheapest kinds compared to other crown types. Over time, they wear down and are more prone to fractures than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.

All-ceramic or all-porcelain dental crowns have a great natural color match compared to other crown types. This is ideal for people who are allergic to metals. You can use all-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns for both front and back teeth.

Zirconia crowns are getting very popular today. They are extremely durable and have a very natural look. They are also the strongest among all types of dental crowns. It is colored white but transformations to any shade are allowed so that you can match it with the rest of your teeth. It doesn’t have metal lining at the gums so you can smile with all confidence with it. Zirconia crowns adhere well to your teeth.

BruxZir Zirconia crowns

BruxZir zirconia crown is a brand of Zirconia crown for patients who have the habit of grinding their teeth and who may be prone to break their natural teeth or porcelain restorations. The material has tooth color and is not fused with porcelain. It doesn’t break, chip or crack easily like porcelain. It looks very natural and blends with the surrounding teeth easily.

If you have had porcelain crowns before that has cracked or if you have had metal crowns that have worn out due to continuous chewing or has become very sensitive, consider a BruxZir zirconia crown for a replacement. BruxZir is a strong and aesthetic alternative to traditional crown types.

BruxZir zirconia crowns are made of solid zirconia with no porcelain overlay and so it is very resistant to chipping. The surface of a BruxZir zirconia crown is also very smoothly glazed and helps to reduce the accumulation of plaque. It is virtually unbreakable and is an ideal restoration for bruxers and grinders.

If you want to have a healthy and aesthetically pleasing smile, then this brand of a crown, BruxZir zirconia crown, is your ideal option.

Dental Crown Emergencies

Since permanent dental crowns are bonded to your tooth, you can hardly tell that they are there for years. However, when the crown becomes unstuck or debonded, this can come to an end. If you have undergone dental crown treatment and you are having issues with it, then you need to have immediate medical attention from your dentist. If you lose a crown or if your dental crown gets removed, then it qualifies as a dental emergency.

When you reach the dental office, they will quickly assess the condition of your teeth and the crown. Depending on what has caused your crown to fall off, you may need a new crown, a different type of crown, or a simple replacement. Whatever it is that needs to be done, what is most important is that you don’t delay in going to your dentist.

When you need a crown, talk to a specialist at your AZ Specialty Dental, Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry. They provide dedicated family care and emergency services professionally.