What You Should Know About Dental Crowns

What Are Dental Crowns Used For?

If you are tired of your worn down, cracked, decayed, or broken teeth or have tried teeth whitening, but it didn’t give the results you were looking for, it might be time for you to upgrade your smile by getting dental crowns. For regular dental needs, click here.

Dental crowns, also known as caps, are covers that are placed over problematic teeth to give them a fresh, more natural look. These caps are placed over discolored, broken, or chipped teeth to restore their shape, appearance, strength, and size. It is worth noting that crowns are available in various options and can be made from metal, ceramic porcelain, or porcelain fused to metal.

The first issue is aesthetics. Of all options, metal crowns undoubtedly have the most unnatural look, while porcelain fused to metal dental crowns lack the translucency and color of natural teeth. Another issue that’s proven to be problematic is the type of material used to make crowns. While metal is strong and durable, it lacks something known as biocompatibility. (This refers to the ability of gums and soft tissue to tolerate them.) Fortunately, thanks to modern dentistry, it is now possible for you to have high-quality, metal-free, natural-looking ceramic crowns.

Which Type of Dental Crown is the Best?

Of all available options, ceramic crowns are the best – and there are several reasons why. The first reason is that they have a more natural look, which means they are easier to match with your teeth’ natural color. And the great thing about them is that you can even have them whitened to a lighter shade if you want. Secondly, their strength has increased tremendously over the last few years. Modern ceramic crowns can now comfortably withstand the pressure associated with chewing food using the back teeth.

Since ceramic crowns do not contain any metal, you no longer have to worry about your gum line turning to an unnatural and unusual grey color. This is often caused by crowns made from materials that contain metals.

Since ceramic crowns do not cause any greying, they blend in perfectly with the rest of your teeth to provide an indistinguishable, natural look. In addition to this, they are also tissue-friendly; this means they allow the soft tissues and gums around the crowned tooth to grow back against or attach themselves to the tooth. As they are also bio-compatible, they have no impact on how the foods you eat taste. They cause no allergic reactions. They have no sensitivity to heat and cold. See your dentist for more information concerning your condition and options.

Ceramic crowns are perfect for front teeth, often referred to as ‘smile teeth’ as they have a more natural look. They’re also ideal for back teeth, where a lot of pressure is caused by biting and chewing. Consult your dentist for more on ceramic dental crowns.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

With proper dental hygiene habits, dental crowns, especially ceramic crowns, will last for years. Information from various studies shows that ceramic crowns are long-lasting and very strong. Furthermore, ceramic crowns provide excellent value for money compared to metal, whose prices are still rising.

Ceramic crowns, just like regular teeth, do need to be well taken care of for them to last. When you get your crowns installed, you must maintain proper oral hygiene. Make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily (especially around the area where the crowned tooth and the gum meet to avoid bacterial growth around the base.)

You are also advised to go for dental checkups regularly – at least twice a year (once every six months). During these checkups, your dentists will check if the crown has become loose or if there is any bacterial buildup underneath.