What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown, also referred to as a dental cap, is a protective cover placed over a damaged tooth. Dentists use these caps to shield, cover, and restore the shape of your tooth when fillings are insufficient. Typically, maintaining a dental crown requires no special care beyond regular oral hygiene practices.
In Toronto, Dental Crowns are not only a cosmetic solution but also crucial for oral health, helping to restore the appearance and functionality of your smile. If you're dealing with chipped or decayed teeth, particularly in Toronto, considering dental crowns might be beneficial. These caps cover chipped or broken teeth, playing a significant role in both aesthetic improvement and dental health preservation.
When a root canal treatment is necessary, a dentist removes the nerve and root from your tooth, which can make it more vulnerable. To protect the tooth, a dentist will place a crown over it, ensuring durability and strength.
What Are Dental Crowns Made of?
Dentists often use temporary crowns when a natural tooth requires a permanent one. While waiting for the permanent crown, which might take several weeks, especially for Dental Crowns in Toronto, a temporary cap is placed. This wait allows the bone to heal properly, which can take from a few weeks to several months before a permanent crown is fixed. Permanent crowns are made from sturdy materials designed to last.
In summary, dental crowns are essential for maintaining both the health and appearance of your teeth. Especially in Toronto, dental crowns provide an effective solution for those suffering from tooth damage or decay.
Metal caps for teeth can be crafted from various metals, including chromium, alloy, gold, nickel, and palladium. These metal caps are incredibly durable because they resist breaking and chipping, and only a small amount of the tooth needs to be removed. Additionally, they allow for normal biting and chewing. However, their main drawback is their color, which makes them more suitable for back teeth that are not visible.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns, on the other hand, can be matched to the color of adjacent teeth, providing a more natural appearance. Nonetheless, the metal underneath the porcelain may sometimes be visible as a dark line. Other disadvantages include the potential for the porcelain to chip or break and the possibility of wearing down the opposing teeth. This wear particularly affects the teeth that come into contact with the crown when the mouth is closed. Despite these issues, PFM crowns can be an appropriate choice for both front and back teeth.
All-resin
Plastic caps tend to be more affordable than those made from other materials. However, they are more susceptible to breaking and wearing out over time compared to their porcelain-fused-to-metal counterparts.
All-porcelain or all-ceramic
All-porcelain or all-ceramic dental crowns are known for their close resemblance to the natural color of teeth. They are also a great choice for individuals allergic to metal. Despite this, they are not as durable as dental caps made from porcelain bonded to metal. Additionally, they can cause the adjacent teeth to wear down faster than resin or metal crowns. These crowns are particularly suitable for the front teeth.
Pressed Ceramic
Pressed ceramic dental crowns are a type of all-ceramic crown that do not require a metal frame. They use porcelain to closely match the natural color of teeth and have a robust inner core. Most importantly, they tend to be more durable than crowns made solely from porcelain.
Reasons for Getting a Dental Crown
There are multiple reasons why you might need dental crowns, such as:
– Covering a tooth after undergoing a root canal treatment.
– Surrounding and protecting a dental implant.
– Concealing misshapen or severely discolored teeth.
– Securing a dental bridge in position.
– Supporting and covering a tooth that has very little structure left and a large filling.
– Restoring a tooth that is severely worn-down or broken.
– Safeguarding a decayed or weak tooth from fracturing or holding together a cracked tooth.
