Tooth Crowns
Tooth crowns are an effective cosmetic procedure to cover up imperfections and other damage to teeth. The whole visible area of the affected tooth is coated by a crown, and this durable method can both improve appearance and the strength of the underlying tooth.
Who can benefit from tooth crowns?
Wear on the teeth can arise from multiple factors, such as prolonged grinding of the teeth over time, unsuitable bite, tooth decay, fillings, or the natural aging process. These problems can begin to deteriorate, crack or even break the teeth. Crowns are a productive route to restoring symmetry and a pleasing appearance to the smile, while also adding stability and strength to broken-down teeth. They can conceal misshapen, discolored, chipped and otherwise imperfect teeth.
How does it work?
The cosmetic dentist takes an impression of the tooth or teeth to be covered and the crowns are made by professionals in a dental laboratory. With weakened teeth, restoration is necessary before the crown is bonded to the tooth. Fillings are commonplace for increasing stability. A temporary crown (or sometimes a false tooth called a Flipper) can be fitted while the real crown is manufactured, and then after two weeks the finished crown is cemented to the front of the tooth. The temporary crown is also important for determining any changes you want made to the color of the cement.
Types of crowns
Tooth crowns are usually made from porcelain, resin, gold, or metal. Some are more durable than others and the type best suiting your circumstances will depend on the problem to be corrected. Please speak to your cosmetic dentist for an in-depth consultation.
Porcelain and resin crowns are the most successful in terms of appearance, with a natural looking finish closely resembling real teeth. Using a pioneering bonding technique, the porcelain or reinforced resin is secured very strongly to the tooth. These veneers are especially useful for covering the front teeth due to their natural coloring. No metal is involved, which is a distinct advantage for patients sensitive to metals.
Porcelain and metal crowns involve a combination of the two materials for naturalness combined with strength. These are often used for molars because the pressure and force on those teeth is sustained due to grinding and chewing. The metal substructure makes them unsuitable for those with metal sensitivity, and this also decreases the translucent, tooth mimicking properties due to the metal’s opaqueness.
Gold crowns are surprisingly malleable when it comes to fitting the tooth precisely. They provide a more exact fit than all other crowns, but they are immediately noticeable and appear unnatural, making them inappropriate for patients fixated on the aesthetics. However, gold crowns are very strong and extremely durable. While other crowns are occasionally at risk of chipping, gold crowns have no trouble in this regard.
How much do crowns cost?
The average cost of crowns is difficult to estimate because there are so many factors relevant to the price. These include the specific dentist, the number of crowns necessary and the amount of work required on the underlying teeth, and the material used to form the crowns. Generally the more visits a procedure requires, the higher the cost. Porcelain crowns are also more expensive due to the time and expertise involved in making them. Crowns can range from around $600 to $3000 per tooth. Dental insurance may cover some or none of the costs, but other financial help can be found.