Our overall health depends heavily on our dental health. Although regular brushing and flossing are important for maintaining a healthy smile, we frequently place a greater emphasis on more complex dental procedures. Dental crowns near you are one such treatment.
This article will discuss dental crowns in detail, including what they are, why you might need one, and how to take care of teeth with crowns on them.
Understanding Dental Crowns
The restorative dentistry process of a dental crown, sometimes known as a “cap,” completely encircles or caps a tooth or dental implant. Dental cement is commonly used to bind crowns to teeth. They frequently serve to reinforce a tooth that is already weak, enhance its shape, alignment, or aesthetics, or conceal a dental implant.
Porcelain, ceramic, gold, and metal alloys are just a few of the materials that can be used to create dental crowns. The location of the crown in the mouth, the colour of the neighbouring teeth, and the patient’s personal preferences all play a role in the material selection.
When are Dental Crowns Necessary?
You may require a dental crown in Calgary for a number of reasons. They consist of:
- To hold pieces of a damaged tooth together or to prevent a weak tooth from fracturing.
- To fix a tooth that has broken or been significantly worn down.
- When there isn’t much of the original tooth left, fill a tooth with a substantial amount of material.
- To maintain a dental bridge in position.
- To hide teeth that are badly discoloured or malformed.
- A dental implant’s cover.
The Dental Crown Treatment
A dental crown used to take at least two visits to the dentist in Calgary. However, with the CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Aesthetic Ceramic) system, it is now possible to receive a crown in a single appointment due to developments in dental technology.
CAD/CAM (Computer creation Create/Computer manufacturing) technology is used by CEREC to instantly create and manufacture personalized dental crowns. In a single appointment, the treatment entails collecting digital impressions of the patient’s mouth, building a 3D model of the crown, and producing the crown using a milling machine.
This saves the patient time and inconvenience by doing away with the necessity for a temporary crown and a second dental appointment.
Types of Dental Crown Materials
Stainless Steel
Prefabricated stainless steel crowns are typically utilized on permanent teeth as a temporary solution. While a permanent crown is created from a different material, the crown safeguards the tooth or filling. A dentist near you can place a stainless steel crown to cover a primary tooth that has been prepared for it in children.
Stainless steel crowns are typically used for children’s teeth since they are less expensive than custom-made crowns, require less preventive dental care to protect a tooth without a crown, and don’t require numerous dental appointments to be placed.
Metals
Metals used in crowns include base-metal alloys and alloys with a high concentration of gold or platinum. Metal crowns are likely the most durable in terms of wear because they can endure biting and chewing forces well. Metal crowns also don’t typically crack or chip. Metal crowns are a fantastic option for molars that are hidden from view.
Porcelain Metal
Contrary to metallic crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns can be coloured to match your neighbouring teeth. In contrast to metal or resin crowns, this crown type causes the opposing teeth to wear down more quickly. The porcelain part of the crown might fracture or chip. But occasionally, particularly at the gum line and more so if your gums recede, the metal under the porcelain of the crown can be seen as a dark line. For front or back teeth as well as lengthy bridges where metal is required for strength, these crowns can be an excellent option.
Resin
Crowns made entirely of resin cost less than other kinds of crowns. They are more prone to fractures and deterioration over time than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, though.
Oral structures made entirely of ceramic or porcelain have the best natural colour match of any crown type, making them potentially more suited for those who are allergic to metal. Front and rear teeth can both benefit from all-ceramic crowns.
Caring for Dental Crowns
No. A tooth with a crown needs to be cared for in the same way as a normal tooth. The same as you would with any other tooth, you must brush it and floss around it. Pay close attention to your crown’s margins, which are where the tooth meets your gums. Although it is easy to overlook, this area is vulnerable to decay and gum disease, which might reduce the longevity of your crown.
Dental Crown Costs and Insurance Coverage
The expertise of your dentist and the materials you select will determine the dental crown cost in Calgary. Depending on your insurance coverage and whether the crown is deemed medically necessary, your insurance may help pay for some or all of this expenditure.
Your dentist will be able to suggest the solutions best suited to your budget if cost is a factor. They can also give you a ballpark figure for the amount you’ll have to pay once your insurer has paid its share.
To speak with a member of our welcoming staff about having a high-quality dental crown that will protect your tooth for many years, call us to book an appointment at our local practice.