Fillings, inlays, onlays and crowns are all used to restore a tooth to its former strength after it has been damaged. Crowns are a type of restoration that removes the majority of the natural tooth – usually due to extensive damage – in order for the crown to be placed on top of the damaged tooth. The crown functions as a cap that fits over the tooth, which protects it and restores its strength. My Dentist Friend offers different types of crowns that can accommodate almost any restorative scenario.
book onlineWhat Are the Different Types of Crowns?
The most commonly used crowns are porcelain or resin crowns. These crowns are the most indistinguishable from natural teeth because porcelain or resin can be made to match the same color as the patient’s natural teeth. Porcelain also gives off the same gleam that natural teeth do. Porcelain and resin wear down at a similar rate as normal teeth and can be placed anywhere within the oral cavity. Metal crowns are also commonly used and have been popular for many decades. Metal crowns are very strong, so they are good for teeth at the back of the mouth. They are quite conspicuous because they are silver or gold in color. Metal crowns are mainly placed at the back of the mouth. Porcelain fused to metal is a hybrid of the two aforementioned crowns, as they are stronger than porcelain or resin crowns, but still retain the majority of their aesthetic benefit. The only downside is that the metal strip is visible at the bottom of the crown, which appears as a black line against the gum.
How Is a Crown Placed?
The consultation appointment is the foundation of the treatment, as the patient will talk to one of our Dentists about which crown will best suit the damaged tooth, and what color the patient wants the crown to be. Our Dentists will draw up a treatment plan to determine when the crown will be placed. The next step is to prepare the tooth for the crown. To prevent any bacteria from being stuck beneath the crown when it is placed, the tooth will be cleaned thoroughly. The tooth will then be filed down, and our Dentists will take measurements of the tooth and send the measurements to a dental lab. The dental lab will create a custom-made crown that will be ready in about 2 weeks. In the meantime, our Dentists will place a temporary crown. The patient will return once the custom-fit crown is ready. The temporary crown will be removed and the custom-fit one will be placed. Crowns can last up to 15 years, depending on the type of crown and the patient’s oral health care habits. Crowns require no special care compared to normal teeth.
My Dentist Friend offers a range of crowns for our patients. Crowns help restore the oral cavity to its former aesthetic and strength. To book a consultation appointment with our professionals now, contact our dental practice in Vineland, NJ at 856-484-4114.