Dental crowns, caps or full veneers are tooth-shaped, natural in appearance porcelain covers that are placed over a weakened, decayed, chipped, roken, damaged or a root canal treated tooth as far as the gum to strengthen, prevent further deterioration and restore the natural appearance of a tooth.
Crowns are also becoming an increasingly popular choice to create a whole new smile by maintaining the teeth in their orginal form, at the same time changng the overall appearance, shape, size & alignment of a smile or they can match existing teeth. Crowns can be aesthetically fabricated to reflect “light” like natural teeth, the look is seamless and a better ppearance can be achieved than that using another method such as laminate veneers. Dental Crowns will also protect your tooth underneath, preserving your natural tooth and gums for a longer period of time.
Some of the reasons why we need crowns;
To give an improved, natural & healthier smile Protect and strengthen a weak or breaking tooth To complete dental implants as part of the permanent restoration Cover a poorly shaped, discoloured tooth or one with a root canal Close gaps in between teeth Protect tooth from further decay, infection & cracking İmprove chewing & talking Long term urability.
To make a cosmetic improvement to change the shape / lengthen / alignment / colour
A bridge, similar to a crown & may be recommended if you’re missing one or more teeth, it works as a support structure consisting of an artifical tooth connected to a set of crowns used to fill a gap created by one more missing teeth Benefits of dental crowns
*Holds together and supports the healthy tooth structure
*Protects natural tooth structure after root canal
*Acts as a natural looking cover for dental implant
*Improves the appearance of teeth
*The treatment success rate is high compared to other restorative treatments
When having dental crowns there are different materials to choose from including the following; Metal Porcelain Crowns also known as PFM
These crowns can be used to replace a single or multiple teeth often as a bridge, they are the product of a marriage between porcelain and metal Crowns Metal supported porcelain crowns are used to increase the durability & stability of a damaged or broken tooth and even taking this into considertion should your gums recede over time you may see a black line along the top of your gum line when you smile. The metal alloy in the substructure of the tooth formation is extremely durable but has low light transmittance. These crowns are more robust and durable, and are generally used for the rear teeth (molars) that are exposed to pressure when chewing. Metal supported porcelain crowns are often used together with implants.
If you choose Metal Porcelain Crowns it is recommended that you replace them after 6-7 years to maintain the health of your teeth and gums. Porcelain fused to metal crowns are more affordable than all ceramic crowns.
Although metal porcelain crowns do not offer the most aesthetic appearance they are still a good choice for back teeth restoratios or for those on a budget.
Advantages of metal fused to porcelain crowns
- They offer strength, stability & durability
*They look like your natural teeth with many shades to choose from so they match your own teeth
*They have a very high rate of success in the long run.
*They offer a natural look for those on a budget - When night grinding is a problem
- Zirconium Porcelain Crowns (Zirconia)
Some years ago Cubic Zirconia was all over the news as the latest material being used to simulate diamonds. Zirconium Porcelain Crowns are incredibly tough, extremely durable and aesthetically
pleasing. Zirconium Porcelain Crowns consist of a pure white metal core (a permanent white metal) with porcelain fused to the outside, creating the look of a natural tooth. With this type of Crown you
will never see a black line should your gums recede over time, the Crown will always appear white at the gum line. The tooth has a much better transparency as the Crown is made up from 100% white
materials. Zirconium Porcelain Crowns are also a healthy option compared to Metal Porcelain, as they are free from Nickel. The look is more aesthetically pleasing when you smile and therefore Zirconium/ Porcelain Crowns are recommended for your front teeth (8 upper/ 8 lower) or the number of teeth that are shown along your smile line.
Zirconium is fast becoming one of the most chosen materials for dental crowns they are the strongest, they are extremely durable and 100% biocompatible, Zirconium is translucent, it does not cause discolouration of the gums, is non-allergic, and is resistant to corrosion, and has since become the first choice for dental restorations.
Advantages of Having Zirconium Crown
- Cosmetic appearance, The aesthetic effects of zirconium crowns are the biggest advantages
*100% biocompatible: no zirconia crown allergy is reported so far.
*Zirconia is the strongest crown, it can withstand wear & tear, it doesnt fracture, crack or chip off,
*Zirconium crowns adhere well to your tooth.
*These crowns require less tooth removal than many other types of dental crowns.
- Metal free for healthier, best natural, long lasting, strong durable & aesthetic appearance.
Providing the patient submits to regular dental controls, zirconia crowns can last for many years.
Natural teeth are living tissues, and may become deformed over time due to wear and infections, whereas zirconia crowns are resistant to change over time. However, changes of the mouth structure later in life may cause the zirconia crown to be adapted or replaced where necessary. The polished and smooth surface of zirconia crowns does not allow for the accumulation of plaque, and neither does it allow for discolouration caused by tea, coffee and smoking.
E.max© Crowns
These crowns are a type of all-ceramic Crown with an appealing translucent colour, which is combined with extra strength and durability. This Crown is made from a single block of lithium ceramic: this is a top-grade material, which has been harvested for its toughness and durability.. It is a glass ceramic Crown which is tough and enduring (2.5 times the strength of CEREC® ceramic Crowns) but delicate in appearance.
‘E-max’ crowns have a natural appearance, blending perfectly with your natural teeth therefore it is possible to match a single or multiple crowns to your own teeth. ‘E-max’ crowns are extremely durable, are made from first class materials, offering colour-tone compatibility to match the patient’s existing teeth. ‘E-max’ crowns have higher light transmittance than zirconium crowns & a highly polished surface that doesn’t allow for the accumulation of bacteria and plaque. They are designed to ensure a perfect fit with the patient’s gums, preventing tooth decay of the nearby healthy teeth. The advantages of ‘E-max’ Crowns
*The materials used do not cause allergic reactions.
*Tartar accumulation does not occur on tooth surfaces.
*The dentist has the ability to be conservative with tooth preparation
*E-max’ Crowns are translucent, providing good light transmittance, this giving the closest aesthetic appearance to the patient’s natural teeth.
A crown provides strength and stability, protecting the tooth underneath. If a crown is a poor fit, bacteria build-up can cause tooth decay over time. Beforehand, a dentist will also evaluate the gums and supporting bone structure to make sure the tissue beneath is healthy. The ultimate goal is to protect the tooth, and reduce the chance of gum recession, which would expose what’s called the “crown margin.” If a crown is fit properly by the dentist, and cared for appropriately by the patient, it should last 10-15 years.
A crown’s longevity depends on the care and attention you give to all your teeth therefore a good dental hygiene routine and regular checkups are recommended, make sure you take care of your whole mouth.
