Crowns are generally used in cosmetic dentistry as a form of dental restoration and are fitted over the remaining part of the original tooth or used as a cap for dental implants.
Dental crowns are made of a variety of materials which include:
⢠porcelain (generally used for front teeth as a straight porcelain crown is very natural looking but they are not as strong as bonded crowns)
⢠porcelain bonded to metal
⢠ceramic crowns which have the appearance of porcelain and the strength of bonded so are suitable for any position in the mouth
⢠Gold Alloy, a very hard wearing crown that is available in gold or white.
Crowns are regularly used when teeth have been broken, have been largely destroyed through dental decay or are excessively worn. Crowns are moulded in a dental laboratory and, unlike basic filings, act as strengtheners for what is left of the original teeth.
With more and more people turning to cosmetic dentistry to create a perfect smile crowns have become widely used for improving the appearance of healthy teeth. This is a practice that isn’t totally supported in the dental industry as a portion of the original tooth has to be ground away to enable the crown to be fitted in place.
When there is very little of the original tooth left it may be necessary to insert a post into the root canal and cement into place before fitting the crown. The post will add support and help the dental crown stay in place.
As dental crowns are formed in a laboratory to get a crown fitted requires 2 trips to the dentist. Initially your dentist will take an impression of your teeth and provide you with a temporary crown if required. The new crown will be fitted 1 - 2 weeks later and will be fixed into place using dental cement.
Crowns are made to match the exact colour of your own teeth and will appear completely natural. You yourself might be aware of a crown for a few days after it is fitted but this will just be short term.
The life of a crown depends on the level of dental care. Many say a crown will last for 7 - 10 years but a well cared for crown can last a lot longer. Crowns are extremely hard wearing and durable but will not prevent further decay of the original tooth!
The cost of dental crowns is generally covered by dental insurance if they are used for restorative purposes. If you use any form of cosmetic dentistry, including dental crowns for appearance purposes you will normally have to cover the cost yourself.
A single dental crown will cost between $500 and $1,100 depending on restorative requirements and the materials used.
Written: Nov 16, 2008
November 16th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
dental crowns?
ok … i have 3 dental crowns– front, and its like 14 years old…it now its not the greatest ..im embarrased to smile BIG because it looks dingy and the metal part looks moldy per my 10 year old daughter…and ive been wanting to do something about it …my regular dentist said its just fine…if he replaces them the teeth thats holding them might break off and we will have more problems…. it so bad i went to see a dentist for dental implants but he referred me to one who does crowns and see what he says…
i am really really set in getting new ones …please any advice or any experiences you can share …would really be great ….
especially from DENTISTs….please….
i do have porcelain crowns ..
i do have porcelain crowns,and they really make me feel uncomfortable smiling …
November 17th, 2008 at 4:54 am
Get crowns made of porcelin.. I have had mine for years.
References :
November 17th, 2008 at 4:56 am
I am not a dentist, but I have crowns. I had the same problem and insisted on the crown being changed, much to my later regret. What you have been warned about happened and the tooth broke. It was a devil to get out and although I tried a false tooth I didn't get on with it. Now I have a gap which is more obvious than the dingy looking crown was
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November 17th, 2008 at 4:58 am
Consult with your dentist about getting all porcelain crowns; they look very natural.
References :
Dental Assistant
November 17th, 2008 at 5:00 am
If money isnt an obstacle for you I would do this:
I know you said you have porcelin crowns maybe its the color. I would bleach your teeth and get them as white as you want them. Then replace the crowns you have with ALL porcelin crowns. You may have pfms or porcelin fused to metal crowns. Those can turn your gum purple and irritate it as well. All porcelin crowns will be matched to the color of your newly bleached teeth if you choose to bleach or to the color of the teeth you already have if you choose not to bleach. Implants are thousands of dollars and can be a hassle I would use those only as a last resort. If you can keep your natural teeth weather it be with crowns or not I would advise you to do so the best teeth you can have are your natural teeth. So if you want to replace your crowns go for it. But everytime you touch a tooth you make it weaker. If it really bothers you then take the chance you deserve to be self confident.
To save you some money if you want to bleach before having any dental work done get some crest whitestrips use them as directed in about 2 weeks your teeth should look whiter. Or you can pay about 250-500 dollars and have your dentist whiten them. Get them the color you want then go for all porcelin crowns.
Good luck
References :
Dental assistant.