Why Do I Need a Crown?
There are several reasons your dentist may recommend a crown. Some of these reasons include:
- Restoring and protect a tooth that is worn, decayed, cracked, or broken
- Protecting and support a tooth after a very large filling or root canal treatment
- Covering a dental implant
- Holding a dental bridge or other prosthetic device in place
- Improving your smile by covering a misshapen or severely discolored tooth
Types of Crowns
Dr. Saadat will recommend the best type of crown for your dental restoration needs based on the chewing placement and structure of the tooth or implant that requires protection. There are three types of crowns, which are full porcelain, full metal and porcelain-fused-to-metal.
FULL PORCELAIN:
- Is attractive, strong, stable, and highly resistant to wear
- Offers a high level of bio-compatibility because it does not contain metal
- Provides the best natural color match to the rest of your teeth, making it an excellent choice for front teeth replacement
The aesthetic quality of a porcelain crown requires that the Dentist be highly skilled in the use of CEREC® technology.
FULL METAL:
- Provides strength and endurance
- Is recommended for back teeth where the forces of biting and chewing are greatest
- Rarely chips or breaks
- Requires minimal removal of the tooth structure
A gold or other high-noble metal crown offers biocompatibility. A base metal crown is often the least expensive treatment options; however, it lacks biocompatibility and may cause allergic reactions or gum-line discoloration.
PORCELAIN-FUSED-TO-METAL:
- Offers the benefits of a natural surface color that resembles the rest of your teeth
- Offers the strength of a metal substructure
While there are several advantages to selecting this type of crown, it requires the removal of more tooth structure than any other type of crowns. This means that there is greater potential for patient discomfort during the treatment procedure.
After a thorough exam of your teeth, gums and supporting bone structure, your dentist will discuss
treatment options with you and answer your questions.
With proper care and good dental hygiene, the life of a crown can range from 5 to 15 years.
If a natural tooth-colored porcelain crown is chosen, our CEREC® Crowns give patients a completed permanent crown in just one office visit. Other types of crowns require two office visits.
