Dental Crowns
Asheboro, NC
 A dental crown is a prosthetic device that is used to cover the visible part of your tooth. This cap is made to fit the exact dimensions of a tooth that needs to be repaired. When properly placed, a dental crown will cover your tooth down to the gum line. Depending on the material used to make it, a dental crown is virtually indistinguishable from a natural tooth.
Applications of Dental Crowns
At Randolph Center for Dental Excellence, Dr. Bryan Freeman and Dr. Cheryl Freeman we may recommend a dental crown based on the health of your tooth. A dental crown can be used to:
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Protect a weak and damaged tooth.
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Replace an old filling or an inlay or onlay (indirect fillings).
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Cover the top of a tooth that has undergone root canal surgery.
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Cover the top of a dental implant.
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Anchor a dental bridge in place.
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Improve the esthetics of your smile.
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Protect a baby tooth from damage. |
Different Types of Crown Materials
Dental crowns are made of a variety of materials:
Gold and Metal
Metal-based crowns are the strongest type of crowns, particularly gold alloy crowns. These crowns can tolerate a large amount of force which is why we recommend they be used to cover the molars and premolars. With good care, they can last for up to 40 years!
However, gold crowns are quite expensive and base-metal crowns may cause allergies in some people since they contain metal like nickel and chromium.
Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns have a metal base which is covered by high-grade porcelain. These crowns are very strong and can be used to repair both front and back teeth. Since they are covered by porcelain, they are more esthetically pleasing than all-metal crowns. However, some people may be able to detect a thin line of metal just above the gum line. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns can last for up to 25 years.
Porcelain
The most natural-looking and esthetically-pleasing crowns are made of pure porcelain or ceramic. Porcelain has light-reflecting properties furthering the illusion of a natural tooth. That’s why most people prefer it on their front teeth.
In addition, porcelain is highly resistant to stains and does not cause allergic reactions. However, it is not as strong as metal-based crowns and may break if too much pressure is applied to it, so you need to be careful what you eat. With good care, porcelain crowns can last from 10 to 15 years.
Composite Resin
These crowns are made of a mixture of plastic and glass and can blend well with your natural teeth. However, these are the weakest types of crowns and should be used for temporary basis since they do not last very long. They also are not very stain-resistant. However, they are quite inexpensive. With proper care, composite resin can last for up to five years.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel crowns are temporary crowns that are used to protect decayed or damaged teeth in children. They may also be used to protect adult teeth while the patient is waiting for their permanent crown to be made. In children, stainless steel crowns will fall off when their baby tooth falls off.
Crowns are a very effective option for restoring decayed and damaged teeth. If you are concerned about the health of your tooth, a crown may protect it from further harm. For a consultation, call (336) 444-2772 today. |
