When tooth decay becomes contagious, it is recommended to get a dental crown. There are different types of dental crowns, made from different materials. Let’s see which is best for you.
What is a dental crown?
Dental crowns are the hollow caps of tooth shape. It can be fixed on the top of a drilled tooth damaged by tooth decay or infection. Crown is not used to strengthen teeth but also enhances the look.
Why do you need a dental crown?
These are the situation which requires dental crown treatments:
- Damaged or decayed tooth
- Weak tooth
- Severe tooth discoloration
- Cracked tooth
Types of dental crown:
Remember the movies where villains used to have golden teeth inside their mouths? You can get them too if you want.
Porcelain-infused zirconia crowns
These porcelain crowns are natural-looking crowns. They provide strength to your natural tooth. But, you might not be able to chew hard food such as candies and ice as it might chip. Also, porcelain crowns are known for wearing off their adjacent teeth.
All-porcelain crowns
These crowns are perfect for four incisors as they enhance the smile. They are not as strong as porcelain-infused zirconia, also wear off adjacent teeth, and cannot be used to chew hard foods.
Porcelain-infused metal
They are the most durable of all-porcelain crowns. The metal structure provides sturdiness; whereas, porcelain coating helps to get natural tooth color. The porcelain-coated on the crowns is prone to cracking and chipping.
Metal-Base alloy crowns
These crowns are extremely strong, and would never wear down your adjacent (which is great!). Also, they are not prone to chipping or cracking. These types of crowns are non-corrosive. However, the only catch in these crowns is that the metal-base doesn’t mix up with the natural tooth. They are often used at the backside of the mouth. And yes, they are expensive if mixed with gold alloy.
Gold alloy crowns
Gold is a strong metal, hence, it wouldn’t fracture. They are very gentle on adjacent teeth. You might look rich, but gold alloy crowns don’t look like a natural tooth (which is evident).
Lithium Di-silicate
These dental crowns don’t require porcelain veneers. And they are also not as strong as metal or porcelain, therefore, they are not a good choice for the front teeth. They are perfect for the backside of the mouth.
How to decide which dental crown type is best for me?
You will have to visit your dentist in Chula Vista for consultation. Your dentist will contemplate which dental crown is best for your mouth. It is a possibility that your dentist might take a few things into account.
- Teeth position
- Teeth structure
- Gum structure
- Your bite
- Your budget and availability
These things are fundamental to calculate which dental crown type is suitable for you.
Only a dentist who provides professional dental services in Chula Vista should be concerned about dental crowns. Fixing a dental crown is a complex treatment and requires abundant experience. Dr. Nick Addario is an expert in dental crowns, you can consult with him right now. Call us!