27 Jan 2015 Dental Crowns and Bridges in Salt Lake City
A Dental Crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is used to restore a natural tooth that has lost a lot of it’s structure, size or strength due to a number of factors. A dental patient may need a crown due to decay that is too extensive for a filling. Or they may need a crown due to a broken or chipped tooth. Crowns can also be used purely to cover misshapen or severely discolored teeth. Whatever the reason, crowns or caps have come a long way in their strength, appearance and longevity.
There are various types of crown or materials used for crowns available. Materials range from full porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, all resin, all ceramic or full metal. Materials have come a long way in recent years and many new and exciting materials such as all-ceramic E-Max crowns and the solid zirconia BruxZir crowns.
At Holladay Family Dentistry we specialize in using the type of crown best fitted to the individual patient’s needs. During your consultation Dr. Greaves will explain the process and types of crowns available so you can choose which option is best for you based on your budget, habits and other factors such as how the location of the crown affects your appearance and your smile.
What Types of Crowns are Available?
All Ceramic or All Porcelain Crowns – All ceramic and all porcelain dental crowns in Salt Lake City provide better natural color match than any other crown type of dental crown or cap and may be more suitable for people allergic to metals. All-ceramic crowns are a good choice for front teeth where they are more visible. Using these materials on front teeth is an excellent option due to the fact that there is no metal to show through and the color and appearance are most similar to natural teeth. The E-Max crown is a type of all-ceramic crown which is preferred at Holladay Family Dentistry for its longer lasting, aesthetic qualities. This crown and the Zirconia crown are very popular due to their highly attractive appearance that they compliment the rest of your teeth. It is considered a good option for damaged, stained or poor quality teeth.
Zirconia or Milled Crown – Zirconia crowns is made from nearly indestructible zirconia, making it ideal for those who have broken their natural teeth or porcelain restorations through bruxing or grinding. When compared side-by-side to full-cast gold and porcelain metal crowns, BruxZir zirconia crowns are the most natural-looking choice. Zirconia crowns can be used as stand-alone crowns on an individual tooth or for implant restorations or bridges. Zirconia has improved translucency and color similar to natural tooth color.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal – Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are more popular than all-metal crowns because they are tooth colored and can be matched to the color of the adjacent teeth and tend to look more natural. Next to all-ceramic crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns look the most natural. The downside to this type of crown is that the porcelain has the potential of breaking or cracking and if the gums recede the dark underlying metal can show through.
Metals – Metals used in crowns include gold alloy, other alloys such as palladium, or a base-metal alloy such as nickel or chromium. The advantage to metal crowns is that less tooth structure needs to be removed with metal crowns compared to other crown types. Metal crowns are also very strong and resist chipping or breaking.
All-resin – All resin crowns are less expensive than other crown types but are far weaker and tend to wear down and break far sooner than other crown types. All resin crowns are not recommended except in the case where a temporary crown is needed.
Stainless Steel Crowns – Stainless steel crowns are prefabricated crowns that are used primarily as a temporary crown for young children on their baby teeth that will only need to stay in place for a few short years. The crown completely covers the tooth and protects it from further decay. The stainless steel option is great for kids because it doesn’t require multiple visit to put it in place and is the most cost-effective solution.
What is the Process of Making a Crown?
Preparing a tooth for a crown usually requires at least two visits to the dentist. The process and number of step also varies depending on the type of crown being fitted. The first step is taking impressions of the tooth/teeth involved. The impressions are sent to a dental lab where the crown will be manufactured. Dental Lab technicians are artists that take great pride in building a crown that is natural looking and enhances your smile. In the meantime a temporary Dental Crown or dental bridge is then fitted into place. After the completed dental crown is sent back to the office, following inspection and adjustments, it is cemented onto your tooth.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
On average, dental crowns and last anywhere between five and 10 years. The life span of a crown depends on a number of factors including how well the crown was prepared and fitted, how well the patient follows good oral hygiene practices, the amount of “wear and tear” the crown is exposed to such as grinding or clenching your teeth, chewing ice, biting fingernails, and using your teeth to open things. The all-ceramic E-Max crowns as well as the Zirconium BruxZir crowns with their stronger materials, tend to last longer than average.