Do I Need a Dental Crown?

Ritter and Ramsey General and Cosmetic Dentistry service Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, and all of Palm Beach County, Florida.

A dental crown can be used to remedy a multitude of tooth related issues. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is used to restore the appearance and functionality of a decayed or broken tooth. These crowns are placed on top of the chosen tooth and bonded to your natural tooth to restore the strength and appearance of the tooth. A dental crown does not go deeper than where the visible tooth and gum line meet, only a dental implant can be placed far below the gum line, connecting to the jawbone.

What Kinds of Dental Crowns Are Available?

Metal Alloys (Including Gold)

Metal alloys are typically amongst the strongest dental crowns on the market. These crowns resist the normal wear and tear that most other dental crowns face, like chipping or breaking. Although at first glance, these types of crowns seem to be the obvious option, however, metal alloys look the least natural as they are not made from tooth-colored materials.

Stainless Steel

These types of dental crowns are typically used for children. The crowns fit snug over the needed tooth, usually after a root canal has been performed, to seal in the filling. This material is typically used in children as they are fitted with primary teeth and don’t need to be replaced as they typically fall out once the adult teeth start growing it.

Porcelain-fused to Metal

Porcelain-fused to metal dental crowns give off the strength of metal alloys but can be seen as natural-looking because of their porcelain façade. Many patients love this type of dental crown as it gives the added strength of the metal alloy, however, sometimes the metal can be seen through the porcelain. Yet, it’s important to remember that this dental crown is fitted with a porcelain crown and therefore can crack or break without proper care.

All Ceramic or All Porcelain

These types of dental crowns are among the most popular in the market. Ceramic and Porcelain crowns are the types of crowns that look extremely natural, as they are made with tooth-colored materials. This material is typically used for all locations of teeth, front and back. Ceramic and porcelain dental crowns are very popular among the patients with any sorts of metal allergies.

Temporary

If your dentist recommends a dental crown, chances are, he or she will place a temporary crown over your tooth before the permanent one. During the first appointment, your dentist will fit a temporary crown made out of an acrylic-based material onto the needed tooth. This is done to allow the patient time to get used to a dental crown while the permanent one is being made at their lab.

Why Do I Need a Dental Crown?

There are many reasons a dental crown is needed, most notably; to fit onto a dental implant, to keep a dental bridge together, to seal a decayed or infected tooth once it’s been cleaned, to cover a chip or break in a tooth, to reshape or resize a tooth etc. Ask Ritter and Ramsey about how a dental crown can update your smile today!

Concerned about durability and longevity? Find out about the dental crowns and expectations here.