With so many advancements in dentistry and technology, there are more and more treatments to give you the smile you've always wanted. If you want to improve your smile, you may be considering dental crowns. If you would like to know more, keep reading.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are prosthetic teeth. They basically replace the tooth's enamel/exterior. During the procedure, the dentist must file down the tooth to the dentin. This permanently alters the tooth, but it allows the crown to fit.
Dental crowns protect the teeth like enamel, and they are resistant to decay. If you neglect your oral hygiene, however, decay may develop along the gumline and up into the crown.
What Types of Dental Crowns Exist?
The common types of dental crowns include:
- Composite resin
- Metal
- All-porcelain
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal
Composite resin crowns are the most affordable, and they are white. However, they are not as durable as other materials. Metal is the most durable, making it particularly good for molars, which undergo a lot of pressure. Of course, they look the least like natural teeth.
The most attractive options are all-porcelain and porcelain-fused-to-metal. Both look like natural tooth tissue. However, the all-porcelain crowns are less durable, making them best for front teeth. Porcelain-fused-to-metal is better for back teeth thanks to their additional durability.
What Can Dental Crowns Correct?
Dental crowns replace the exterior of your teeth, so they can correct many flaws. Naturally, they fix:
- Stubborn discoloration
- Chips/cracks
- Fillings
- Short/long crowns
However, while they don't move teeth, they can mask some minor crowding and gapping.
More than that, however, dental crowns can correct weak teeth. Teeth become weak for a variety of reasons, including:
- Root canal treatment
- Severe decay
- Large fillings
- Multiple fillings in one tooth
A crown reduces the risk of the tooth breaking or shattering when exposed to pressure. As a result, dental crowns may be a great choice if you have weak teeth and cosmetic concerns. If your teeth aren't weak, but you have minor cosmetic concerns, you may want to ask about veneers or dental bonding.
Dental crowns can save weak teeth, but they also fix a myriad of cosmetic issues, including crooked teeth. Luckily, they are a common procedure offered by many dentists, and if they are deemed medically necessary, your insurance may cover some of the cost. If you would like to know more about dental crowns, contact a dentist in your area today.
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