Dental Articles - Edmonton

Your doctor has asked you to get dental crowns, and now you are wondering whether to go ahead with it or not. Dental crowns are a common restoration procedure. It is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over a tooth to cover it. The main function of a dental crown is to restore the size, shape, and functionality of your tooth. Based on your diagnosis, the dentist will recommend a suitable type of dental crown for your tooth. Once cemented in place, the dental crown fully covers your natural tooth and improves its overall appearance. If you are about to get dental crowns, then the following information might be helpful for you:

1) Who Needs Dental Crowns?

A dentist will recommend you to get dental crowns if you have any of the following conditions:

• If you have a broken or a worn out tooth, then a dental crown can help restore the shape and functionality of that tooth.
• If you are getting a root canal therapy done, then the dental crown will cover the treated tooth.
• A dental crown is also used to hold dental bridges together.
• It is used to repair and protect decayed,chipped, and discolored tooth.
• Lastly, it is used to cover dental implants and to correct misaligned teeth.

2) Types Of Dental Crowns

Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) Crowns

These are one of the most commonly used crowns. PFM crowns are color matched to your teeth. They are constructed from porcelain with an underlying layer of metal to give increased durability and a more natural appearance. One downside of using these crowns is that over a period of time the porcelain layer might wear-off allowing the metal beneath to be visible. PFM crowns are a good choice for the rear teeth, where metal can provide strength.

Full Porcelain/Ceramic Crowns

This type of crown is close to the color of your natural teeth. Hence, they are mostly recommended for front teeth. But, full porcelain or ceramic crowns are relatively more expensive and less durable compared to metal crowns.

Metal Crowns

Metal crowns are one of the most durable crowns. They can withstand all kinds of biting and chewing forces and tend to last long. There are various alloys that are used to make metal dental crowns such as steel, cobalt-chromium, nickel-chromium, and alloys with high content of gold or platinum. Metal crowns are a cost-effective option compared to other types of crowns. However, unlike other crowns, metal crowns are noticeable. Hence, they are not ideal for front teeth.

Temporary Crowns

Temporary crowns are made using an acrylic-based material or stainless steel. They can be made in your dentist’s office, unlike permanent crowns that are made in a dental laboratory. As the name suggests, these crowns are used temporarily till the permanent crowns are made in the laboratory.

3) After-care Measures for Crowns

If you have temporary crowns, then avoid having anything that is chewy or sticky like chewing gums or caramel candy. You don’t want the temporary crowns to be dislodged before they are replaced with the permanent ones. Brush and floss with care. It is important to brush and keep the gum tissue as clean as possible.

If you wish to know more about dental crowns, then get in touch with our dental experts at Floss and Gloss dental.

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Dentist Edmonton