Dental Crowns for Your Teeth
Even if your tooth has lost more than 50% of its structure because of fracture, decay or previous treatment, we usually can still save it by placing a crown.
A dental crown is a restoration that covers or” caps” a damaged tooth for the purpose of restoring the normal shape, size and function. It is permanently cemented or bonded into place.
The Dental Crown is so named because it replaces the top part (the crown) of the tooth. A crown surrounds the entire top of the tooth and prevents any individual part of the tooth from fracturing.
If a tooth has lost more than 50% of its structure it is too weak to confidently predict that it will withstand the forces of normal chewing. Typically these teeth eventually fracture over time. By fabricating a crown, we can protect the remaining (weakened) tooth structure.
Dental Crowns can be made of various materials including gold, porcelain fused to metal, or all porcelain. Different types of crowns are indicated in different situations. As part of your consultation, the doctors at Tewksbury Dental in Tewksbury will find the best crown type for you. If you are in the the Greater Boston communities of Andover, Billerica, Chelmsford, Lowell and Wilmington, schedule your consultation today!
The Tewksbury Dental Team Discusses Dental Crowns:
Types of Crowns
All-Ceramic Teeth Crowns
Eliminating metal allows light to transmit through the porcelain – it creates a great aesthetic result with life-like color. Simply put, they are beautiful.
he most commonly used material for the core of an all-ceramic crown is either zirconia or aluminous materials. All-ceramic materials continue to evolve in strength and durability – and as technology changes we continue to improve the strength.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns
By placing a layer of metal beneath the porcelain the strength of the dental crown improves over the all ceramic crown. These crowns are still aesthetic – yet often show a collar of metal along the gum line that may be acceptable on back teeth.
The artistic skill of the laboratory technologist creating the crown will usually determine its aesthetic appeal.
Gold Crowns
If you want a restoration that will support and strengthen your back teeth, gold is the ultimate solution. For people with strong bites or grinding/clenching habits it is the only reliable long term solution for their back teeth. If you need a crown and the tooth is not visible, gold is certainly an excellent option for a long term durable restoration.
