The Different Types of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can be a lifesaver. It goes without saying that our smiles are some of our most treasured features. A beautiful smile is so valuable, people will often invest their time and money to achieve it. The use of dental crowns is just one of those ways people try to improve their smiles.

Dental crowns come in all sizes and shapes and are used for a number of dental impairments. The tooth-shaped cap is usually placed on top of the tooth to protect it.

There are several reasons a dentist might decide to use dental caps. Some of these include to protect broken teeth or to hold broken pieces of the same tooh in place, and to improve the appearance of discolored teeth.

Once a person has decided to get dental crowns, there are several choices to be made. There are different types of dental caps.

Type of dental crowns

1. Temporary/stainless steel

Temporary dental caps are only intended for use as a short-time measure while a more lasting cap is being developed. They are typically made of stainless steel and are a cheap, mass-produced option. This type of dental cap is mainly used on children who will lose their baby teeth anyway.

2. All-ceramic

Among the permanent dental caps that exist is the ceramic kind. This particular cap is made of a porcelain material that is hard and durable. This is quite a popular choice because it is quite similar to the color of real teeth. In addition, a number of patients are allergic to metal. Ceramic dental caps are thus a perfect option for them.

3. Porcelain-fused-to-metal

This type of dental cap is also quite durable. Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns can last up to 15 years if well taken care of. Porcelain is usually fused on to a metal base. The metal is usually one with a high melting point. They are, however, not as aesthetically appealing as the all-ceramic type. This is because the metal base is sometimes visible. PFM crowns, as they are sometimes called, also tend to chip and crack.

4. All-resin dental caps

Resin is quite easy to bend and shape, and this is a popular material to make crowns with. They are also a rather cheap option. Since the resin is easy to color, all-resin dental caps tend to look like real teeth. However, they are more prone to wear and tear than other types.

5. All-metal dental caps

This type of dental crown is crafted entirely from metal. They are not typically used for the front teeth, since the metal makes it very visible in the wearer's mouth. Though they are not as aesthetically appealing, they are the most durable caps available. They hardly chip, as metal is able to withstand forces from the teeth quite well. Gold is a popular choice for metal crowns.

In a nutshell, these are the existing types of crowns on the market right now. Although a visit to the dentist is still necessary, it is important to know what to expect beforehand.

Contact one of our dentists to learn more about improving the appearance of a tooth with a dental crown.

What are you waiting for?

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Metro Smiles Dental, request an appointment in our Forest Hills dental office here: https://metrosmiles.com. Or call us at (718) 841-9591.