Tooth crown restoration is a procedure in cosmetic dentistry involving the use of artificial, but life-like tooth enamel to fully cover up discolored, weakened or damaged natural teeth.
There are several types of crowns for teeth. You can get a silver crown tooth, ceramic crown, metal crown or porcelain crown teeth.
Porcelain crowns are hugely popular in restorative cosmetic dentistry because they are made to mimic the color shades and texture of natural teeth.
WHAT IS A DENTAL CROWN PROCEDURE?
Whenever the enamel of your tooth is severely discolored, weakened or damaged in any way, you can either get a temporary tooth cap or a permanent crown to completely cover the tooth.
In the dental crown procedure, your cosmetic dentist will file your natural tooth until it is simply a stub. But before this time, your dentist would have prefabricated a dental crown cap in a dental laboratory.
This cap is then placed over the stub covering it completely. The tooth crown mimics the enamel (outer) layer of your natural tooth and protects your root canal amongst other benefits.
WHY IS CROWN DENTAL CARE NEEDED?
Your dentist may recommend a tooth crown procedure in cosmetic dentistry for the following reasons:
- To provide added protection for the root canal of a weakened tooth.
- To cover up a severely fractured or damaged natural tooth.
- To restore your tooth if it has severe cavity and/or decay.
- To replace a tooth after your dentist has inserted a dental implant.
- To provide cosmetic cover up for a discolored, stained, chipped or cracked tooth.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DENTAL CROWN
There are different types of dental crowns that you can either have attached to your natural tooth or to a dental implant after missing a tooth.
However, the most commonly used tooth crown in dental care include:
- Porcelain crowns: This crown is made entirely of porcelain. Porcelain crowns mimic the appearance and texture of natural teeth. They are also the most widely used type of crown.
- Porcelain Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns: PFM is also a popular type of crown in cosmetic dentistry. It comes with a metal structure that is covered by porcelain coating. PFM combines both the strength of metal and the aesthetics of porcelain.
- Gold tooth crowns: Gold tooth crowns are often made of copper and chromium or nickel. A gold tooth crown provides both durability and strength.
- Zirconia tooth crowns: Zirconia tooth crown also combines the natural aesthetics provided by a porcelain coating with the durability and strength of a metal inner structure. This tooth crown is still relatively new in cosmetic dentistry with patients having a choice of either a layered or highly translucent zirconia tooth crown.
- E- Max – lithium disilicate tooth crowns: The E-Max tooth crown is made from a thin and light lithium disilicate ceramic material. This tooth crown is new in dentistry, but fast becoming a preferred tooth crown option.
BENEFITS OF CROWN PORCELAIN CERAMIC
Since porcelain crowns are the most popular of all the different types of crowns available, here are some benefits you can derive from using porcelain as your preferred root canal crown.
- Fitting porcelain tooth crowns involves an easy, in-office dental crown procedure.
- Attaching porcelain-made crowns will cause you to experience very little or no side effects.
- Porcelain tooth crowns can be fitted by your dentist in one or a maximum of two dental crown sessions.
- Porcelain mimics the outer enamel layer of natural teeth to give you realistic looking teeth.
- The color shades of porcelain tooth crowns can be done to match the color of your existing teeth.
- You do not have to worry about any downtime or period of recovery with porcelain crowns.
TOOTH CROWN PROCEDURE
A dental crown procedure involves the following steps:
- Examination: Your cosmetic dentist will first examine your problem tooth or teeth. The dentist enquires about your cosmetic dentistry goals and recommends a dental care procedure that would be best suited to your needs.
- Filing of tooth: Your dentist administers a local anesthesia and prepares the tooth by filing it to a stub. It is on this stub that the crown of your choice will be attached.
- Prefabricated crown: Your teeth impression is taken to a dental laboratory where the crown of your choice is fabricated in preparation for your next scheduled session.
- Attachment of crown: Your dentist will attach the prefabricated crown to your filed tooth during your next scheduled session.
TOOTH CROWN REMOVAL
A dental bridge and crown are held in place on your existing tooth with a non-toxic adhesive.
To weaken the bond, your dentist will move the fitted crown from side to side with care until the adhesive bond with your natural tooth is weakened.
Your dentist will then gently lift the tooth cap from the stub using a dental crown removal hand tool like a hemostar, crown-removing plier, large spoon excavator or dental scaler.
DENTAL CROWN RECOVERY
Some patients of a dental crown procedure may not require any recovery period or downtime. However, there are patients that experience inflammation, irritation, pain, sensitivity, and discomfort after the tooth crown procedure. These patients may require just a few days of recovery.
COST OF CROWN RESTORATION
The cost of crown restoration will depend on the crown material you prefer. Typically, the cost of a tooth crown procedure is calculated per tooth and can vary depending on several factors, including your present location. However, Gold or metal crowns are often more expensive than porcelain crowns and PFM.
FAQ ABOUT TOOTH CROWN
Q1: Why Do I Need A Crown?
A1: You may require a tooth crown if an existing natural tooth is weak, severely stained, discolored, chipped or cracked.
Q2: Will It Match My Teeth?
A2: Yes. Porcelain crowns come in different color shades to match the natural color shade of your existing teeth.
Q3: How Long Is This Going to Take?
A3: Some people adjust almost immediately to a dental crown while others may require a few days for any discomfort to subside.
Q4: Can I Get A Crown in Just One Appointment?
A4: It is possible to get a dental crown in one session. However, a dental crown procedure is normally done within two scheduled sessions.
DENTALAND DENTISTRY FOR THE BEST DENTAL CROWNS NEAR ME IN HOUSTON, TEXAS
If you need dental crowns and you are resident of Houston, Texas, you might want to schedule a meeting with a professional cosmetic dentist at DentaLand Dentistry.
We offer a full range of dental crown options, including porcelain crowns, PFM crowns, Zirconia crowns, gold crowns, and E-Max lithium disilicate ceramic crowns.
You can book online to schedule a visit to our clinic and meet with a qualified dentist who will examine your teeth, listen to your cosmetic dentistry goals and proffer the best dental care solution for you.