What is a dental crown

What is a dental crown?

A crown is a covering in the shape of a tooth that covers the entire visible portion of the tooth.

There are several causes for someone to get a crown fitted:

• To restore a broken, damaged or chipped tooth

• To add strength to a weakened tooth

• Where a tooth has decayed and too much is missing for a filling

• To improve the cosmetic appearance of teeth

• To restore a tooth that previously had a very large filling that may be breaking down

• To reinforce and seal a tooth following a root canal

There are numerous materials that can be used to create crowns.

While some are made to resemble actual teeth, others are colored like metal.

Later on, we'll go through these in further detail.

Prior to advancements in dental technology that made the dental crown surgery possible, the only option for treating a broken or severely rotten tooth was to extract it.

The use of dental crowns has given dentists a technique to preserve a significant amount of tooth structure without having to extract teeth or subject patients to a lifetime of wearing a detachable prosthesis like a denture or partial denture.

A dental crown restores the entire tooth, in contrast to a dental filling, which only fixes a small area of the tooth.

Teeth with caps need to behave and feel identical to normal teeth.

What's the difference between a tooth crown and a tooth cap?

Perhaps you've heard the phrases "crown" and "cap" used and are unsure of their distinctions.

It turns out that the terms "crown" and "cap" refer to the same object.

Both "dental crown" and "dental cap" refer to a complete tooth covering that is affixed to a tooth that has been partially or completely removed.

Some individuals could claim that a "crown" is metal-colored while a "cap" is tooth-colored, although dentists do not distinguish between the two.

In this essay, we'll use both names to refer to the same thing, but you should now be aware of this.

A dental crown may also be referred to as a "onlay."

A similar restoration called an onlay can be made in a way that is even more conservative in terms of preserving good tooth structure.

When preparing a tooth for a crown, we may now be more conservative than ever thanks to advancements in dental bonding technologies.

Types of dental crowns

The most common materials for teeth caps are:

 

• Ceramic: This can include porcelain or zirconia, colored to match the surrounding teeth

• Metal alloys: Including gold, platinum, palladium, and non-precious metals; either “white” (silver-colored) or “yellow” (gold-colored). Some people may get gold crowns because they like the aesthetics of gold teeth (read more about other gold dental swag here).

• Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM): A combination of the above, with ceramic fused to an inner metal crown

• Resin/composite: Cheaper than other types and don't last as long—may be used for temporary crowns while you wait for a permanent crown

Best dental crown material

The best crown material for you will be determined by the teeth that are being covered, how you want them to look aesthetically, and how long you need them to survive. Each of the materials has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

With the use of CAD/CAM dental technology, ceramic crowns are created in a lab and assembled layer by layer.

They have the same somewhat transparent appearance as real teeth as a result, which makes them a popular option for front teeth that will be seen.

A novel technique for machining crowns while you wait also allows for their creation chairside.

These are excellent since they may be finished in an one visit without a provisional cap.

The drawback of any ceramic material is that, despite being extremely durable, it is more brittle than metal and is likely to chip or break over time. However, when constructed properly, they should be expected to last for at least 15 years.

Emax caps are one type of ceramic crown with a unique design that makes it more durable.

Dental crowns composed of gold or other alloy metals have a reputation for being far more long-lasting.

They also have the advantage of being biocompatible with teeth, thus the capped teeth shouldn't harm or wear down the teeth they are biting against.

If the patient does their part to maintain it by keeping it clean and healthy, a gold crown can last a lifetime.

Any metal crown's hue is obviously a disadvantage.

Even if it is hidden in the back, many people just prefer not to have teeth that are gold or silver in colour on display.

Others find a gold tooth crown to be quite alluring, and some even go so far as to have it inscribed or gemstone-studded!

PFM crowns combine part of the metal's tensile strength with porcelain's aesthetic appeal.

However, due to the way they are stacked, they frequently don't appear quite as natural as teeth.

The metal beneath the ceramic covering won't break or chip, but it still might chip or crack.

The place where the two elements are linked, however, is usually invariably where they will fail.

A dark grey metal line may be visible and is highly unattractive if the gums gradually recede.

How much does a crown cost without insurance?

All-ceramic crowns can cost up to $2,000 per tooth, whereas silver dental caps range from $500 to $1,500.

Even though they are fairly pricey, crowns are a crucial component of many restorative dental operations.

Because of the price, they shouldn't be thrown away.

The cost of a tooth cap might vary significantly from one location and dental facility to another, just like any other dental procedure.

If you want crowns for more than one tooth, it is worthwhile to shop around and compare costs among local dentists.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each form of crown, as was previously described, so there is more to think about than just the price of a tooth cap.

Inquire about the various options that might be appropriate for you in addition to asking your dentist how much a dental crown would cost.

Asking your doctor what they would put in their own mouth if they were in a similar circumstance is a wise practice.

Full metal crowns are often the least expensive and full ceramic crowns are the most expensive, as you can see from the table below.

Since more effort must be spent on giving front tooth crowns a natural appearance, they can be more expensive.

Type of crown	Cost	Strenth/durability	Aesthetics	Other commments
Metal	$500 - $1,500	$800 - $2,000	$600 - $1,800	$700 - $2,000
Ceramic (porcelain)	Excellent; very long-lasting	The least durable material; liable to crack or chip	Although the metal inside is strong, the outer porcelain can chip	Can chip just like porcelain
Porcelain-fused-to-metal	Gold or silver-colored so easily noticeable	Created to look just like natural teeth	Tooth-colored but doesn't always have the translucency of natural teeth	The fast production process makes it harder to achieve a natural look
One-day CEREC crown	Won't wear down other teeth	Can gradually wear away other teeth it	May gradually wear away other teeth it	Can gradually wear away other teethit
		bites against	bites against	bites against

Your dentist might charge you a little less for each crown if you require more than one.

Regardless of how many crowns you have, the material costs and fitting time per crown essentially remain constant.

How much does a crown cost with insurance?

Your insurance may cover anything from $100 to $1,000 depending on your plan.

When calculating the cost of your crowns, you need also take into account the deductible and coverage limits of your insurance policy.

Reducing the tooth crown cost

Private dental insurance may cover some or all of the expenses you spend along the way, but frequently, coverage for this type of treatment is only provided after a waiting period, which is usually between three months and a year following the commencement of your policy.

Check your policy to see if getting dental crowns is covered if you decide to do so for aesthetic reasons.

Learn more about US dental insurance, including the providers' coverage policies, by reading this article.

Remember that you could also need to pay for a root canal in addition to your crown.

Dental veneers may also be a choice for improvements that are merely aesthetic.

To learn which option is best for you, talk to your dentist.

Getting cheap dental crowns abroad

It might be more affordable, depending on how many crowns you require, to receive the procedure abroad, but you can also be without recourse if something goes wrong.

Due to the fact that many Americans cannot afford complex dental care locally, dental tourism is growing in popularity.

The preferable option, according to several dentists, is to enrol in a US dentistry school.

For roughly half of what private practise would cost, you may receive good care while being supervised by an instructor.

A PFM crown can be purchased in nations like Mexico and Costa Rica for $250 to $600 if you are going from the US.

You stand to save much more if additional dental work is required.

In several border towns with Mexico, there are countless dental facilities that only treat foreign customers who travel there for a day or more to get their teeth fixed.

Dental crown procedure

Visit 1: preparation

To ensure a correct fit and long-lasting performance, one to two millimetres of tooth structure must be removed during the dental crown treatment.

However, in order to ensure that your tooth is healthy enough to invest in and to look for any underlying issues, your dentist might take an x-ray first.

If all goes according to plan, the dentist will use an anaesthetic, a form of dental anaesthesia, to numb your tooth and the gums around it.

If you experience pain, have a significant break in the tooth, or have nerve deterioration, a root canal procedure may be required before your crown.

In order to provide a better base for the cap, your dentist may additionally surgically remove some of the gum tissue.

Additionally, your dentist will eliminate all signs of deterioration and any leftover materials from prior fillings.

If there is only a very small amount of tooth remaining after treatment, the dentist might rebuild it using a filling substance.

Once this is completed, the tooth must be slightly tapered so that it is thinner on top so that the tooth cap may easily glide over it.

The remaining portion of the tooth is then captured in an imprint or digital scan by the dentist so that the crown may be precisely crafted to suit it.

The dentist places a temporary cap (made of composite or acrylic) to halt any sensitivity in the tooth and maintain it functional and attractive while the crown is being manufactured in the specialized lab, which could take two to three weeks.

The color of the temporary teeth cap should blend in with your natural teeth, but the material and finish aren't as high-quality as the permanent cap will eventually be. It's at this point that your dentist will also choose the shade for your crown if you're getting it made in a material to match your teeth.

This first visit usually takes between 45 minutes and one hour.

Visit 2: fitting

You'll need to make another appointment with your dentist to get the permanent crown installed.

Your dentist may re-numb the tooth to prevent any sensitivity while the temporary dental crown is being removed.

Your dentist will apply a resin bonding material or dental cement to the inside of the new crown and press it firmly over your tooth after making sure the fit of the new crown is perfect.

The procedure is finished once any surplus that has leaked out has been removed.

Speaking up before the permanent crown is bonded is important if you have any reservations about its color or shape (particularly if it is a crown for a front tooth).

Prior to the final cementation, make sure your dentist lets you inspect it.

To get the best accurate view, step outdoors and examine it in the daylight.

You'll have to live with your new cap for a very long time and it's tough to modify once it's in place.

Depending on how many changes are required before the crown can be cemented, the length of this second appointment varies, but it usually lasts between 30 and an hour.

Since they won't be an identical replica of your natural teeth, your capped teeth may feel weird at first.

Within a few weeks, you should become accustomed to them as long as they don't interfere with your bite.

The entire process of taking out an old crown and replacing it is demonstrated in the following video.

A few close-ups of drilling and needles are shown, so be alert.

One-day CEREC crown fitting

There is a product on the market that enables you to avoid several appointments and weeks or months with a temporary crown.

With the use of CEREC technology, dentists can quickly create crowns on the spot using digital scans of your mouth.

There's no denying that people will find this to be a more practical option, and many are content to do without the uncomfortable dental impression procedure.

Since CEREC crowns are still quite new on the market, there isn't much information about how well they'll hold up over time.

Dentists agree, however, that while they are a sturdy and attractive solution for back teeth, they fall short of the hand-crafted porcelain crowns' natural appearance for the very front teeth.

Although there is no lab work required and the process is quicker, the cost of the machine used by your dentist to create these dental crowns is comparable to that of standard crowns.

Recovery and care of dental crowns

How long do capped teeth last?

Although crowns are a long-term method of repairing broken teeth, they are not indestructible.

Gold, for instance, won't chip or crack like porcelain does, although certain materials are more resilient than others.

Your dentist might advise you to anticipate your crown lasting five to fifteen years, but many survive much longer than this.

A 2013 study that examined 2,340 gold-based PFM crowns discovered that 97% of them lasted longer than 10 years and that 85% of them were still functional after 25 years.

A different, more recent investigation revealed that

Your crown will eventually need to be replaced if:

• It becomes cracked or broken (ceramic)

• It wears down (metal) or is causing excessive wear to other teeth (ceramic)

• The tooth inside experiences decay

• Its cosmetic appearance deteriorates (in the case of a front tooth crown)

Although gold dental crowns are often the most durable, bruxism patients may have some wear in some areas (tooth grinding).

Patients who have porcelain crowns may also experience issues with this ailment since the material is more likely to wear down neighboring teeth that come into contact with it.

It can be wise to spend money on a custom-made nightguard if you grind your teeth at night to protect your natural teeth and crowns.

Compared to several teeth needing crowns from wear, it's far less expensive!

Ask a dentist: What are the benefits of a crown?

Teeth that have been injured or lost their teeth might be replaced with crowns.

The whole surface of a broken tooth is covered by a crown, also known as a cap.

The appearance, shape, and alignment of a tooth can be significantly enhanced by a crown in addition to strengthening it.

Before a permanent crown can be created and affixed into place, temporary crowns are an excellent choice to aid a patient with their current issue.

The use of extra caution when eating, brushing, and flossing is advised because temporary crowns are more prone to shattering.

Caring for a temporary cap

Avoid chewy or sticky foods (like gum or soft sweets) while your temporary tooth cap is in place as they could cause it to fall off.

It's also advised to stay away from hard foods like raw carrots and apples.

Try to chew and bite primarily on the side of your mouth opposite your tooth's crown, or save your tooth's crown for very soft foods only.

For further details on maintenance, see our article on temporary crowns.