What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown (cap) is a restoration that entirely covers a tooth. A crown strengthens damaged or decayed teeth and improves appearance, shape and alignment of teeth. A dental Crown is routinely used for cosmetic dentistry. A Crown is great for closing gaps between teeth. Dr. Elseweifi uses both crowns and veneers to achieve the best cosmetic results. We offer single visit crowns by CEREC®.
What Is a Dental Crown Used for?
- To replace large fillings, especially amalgam fillings.
- To protect weak teeth.
- To restore a fractured teeth to avoid using large fillings.
- A crown is a part of a bridge (bridge retainers).
- To restore dental implants.
- To cover discolored teeth that do not respond to teeth whitening.
- To restore root canal treated teeth.
- To repair a chipped tooth.
Types of a Dental Crown:
A dental crown can be made from stainless steel, all metal (such as gold or another alloy), porcelain-fused-to-metal, or poreclain. After dental exam, Dr. Elseweifi would recommend the best type of crown for your case.
Prefabricated stainless steel crowns: These are used as temporary crowns on permanent teeth. A stainless steel crown is also used to restore damaged or decayed primary teeth in Children.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns: are used for both front and back teeth. The metal used can be non-precious, semi-precious, or gold. The metal substructure provide support to the porcelain. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are less aesthetic than all porcelain crowns.
Sometimes the metal edge of this crown would show as a dark line, at the gum line. To prevent this problem, the crown margin is made of porcelain (porcelain butt margin or a porcelain crown is used. Some patients may be allergic to metal components in porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.
All-ceramic or all-porcelain dental crowns provide better cosmetic results as they can perfectly match the color and translucency of natural teeth. There are many porcelain materials for crowns, including IPS Empress® and IPS e.max®. IPS Empress® is recommended for anterior single crowns, inlays and onlays. IPS e.max® can be used for many restorations, including veneers, single crowns, and multi-unit bridges.
Zirconia (zirconium) crowns are a type of all-porcelain crowns. Zirconia dental crowns are digitally constructed by a CAD/CAM process. A brand example for Zirconia crowns is BruxZir® Solid Zirconia. Zirconia is a very strong material that can withstand heavy forces of occlusion. It can also be made in thin sections.
Why a dental crown and not veneers?
A Crown covers the entire tooth surface and requires removal of more tooth structure than a veneer. A veneer only covers the front of the tooth and only requires removal of part of enamel. Therefore, a veneer is more conservative than a dental crown. A Crown is used for teeth with significant damage or decay, for patients with extensive decay or bad hygiene, and for patients with heavy bites.
What would I expect when I receive my dental crown?
At the dental crown delivery visit:
- The dental crown will be checked in your mouth for color match.
- The fit of the crown will be checked.
- The contacts of the crown with adjacent teeth will be checked. You should have contacts that are not very tight nor open. Tight contacts may put pressure on adjacent teeth and may not pass dental floss. Open contacts will cause food to be trapped between the teeth.
- The bite of the crown with opposing teeth is checked when you close your mouth and when you chew.
- The crown is cemented.
- The bite is checked again as cementing the crown may slightly alter the bite.
Why do I feel sensitivity after having a new crown?
A tooth may feel sensitive after a new crown cementation. This sensitivity is usually temporary. If you have sensitivity that lasts more than a few days or is getting worse, just call us.
Call us today for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Elseweifi at 773-276-2757