More than 26% of people in the United States suffer from some degree of tooth decay along with other dental problems. When left untreated, dental problems like tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease can damage your teeth, make them sensitive or painful, and can even kill them in some cases. If some of your teeth are very sensitive or non-functional, it is important to get dental crowns to protect them.
But what should you know about choosing dental crowns, you might ask? What types of crowns are there and is one type better than the other? Keep reading and learn more about the benefits of dental crowns and the different options you can choose from.
What You Need To Know About Dental Crowns
Before you choose between different types of dental crowns, you should first know what dental crowns are exactly. A dental crown is nothing more than a cap-like device that functions to cover a damaged tooth. When a dental crown covers your tooth, it will protect it from hot and cold substances so your tooth should not feel any discomfort while you eat, drink, or speak.
Dental crowns are not only protective but also aesthetically pleasing. If you have several damaged teeth, they are likely discolored or misshapen in some way. Dental crowns are very realistic and by covering your damaged teeth, they can improve your smile in no time and give you a more confident smile.
The dental crown procedure is relatively straightforward. Before you get your crowns, your dentist will need to make sure that you aren’t currently suffering from any significant dental conditions. For example, if you currently are suffering from tooth decay or gum disease, you will need to get these conditions treated before you can get your crowns.
After all, covering a tooth affected by tooth decay with a crown will not solve the problem. When it is time to get your crowns, your dentist will discuss the different options with you. Your dentist will also help choose the right shade and shape for your crowns.
The Details
That way, you will get the most realistic results. You can also explain to your dentist what kind of results you would like from your crowns. Once it’s time for the procedure, your dentist will need to sand down the tooth that will receive the crown.
This is necessary because your tooth needs to be small enough to fit inside the crown. This part of the procedure should not hurt because your dentist will give you a local anesthetic. Once your tooth is sanded down, your dentist will use an adhesive to attach the crown to your real tooth.
Once the crown settles, the procedure will be done. Then, you’ll be able to admire the results of the procedure. You will find that the crown will allow you to eat and drink without experiencing any pain due to the sensitivity of your damaged tooth.
Your smile will also look much healthier and more attractive. But what types of crowns can you choose from?
What To Consider When Choosing Dental Crowns
One of the most common dental crown material options is composite resin. Composite resin is popular because it is quite affordable and very realistic in appearance. If you get a crown made out of composite resin, people won’t even be able to tell that your crown is a crown and not a real tooth.
Due to the affordability of composite resin, it is a good choice if you plan on getting several crowns at once. However, there are some downsides to this material. In particular, the composite resin is not very durable.
Composite resin crowns have a tendency to only last around 10 years and often even less. The crowns may chip or crack, especially if you often eat hard substances like peanuts or ice. In the long-run, composite resin crowns can actually be quite expensive because you will need to keep repairing or replacing them.
Another popular type of crown is made of porcelain. Porcelain is very sturdy and strong compared to composite resin and it is also very realistic. While you should still avoid chewing on hard substances once you have a new crown, you will find that porcelain crowns can withstand most things without chipping or cracking.
What You Need to Know
Porcelain crowns also last a long time, sometimes as long as 20 years as long as you take good care of them. This is not to mention that most porcelain crowns are bonded to metal to make them even more durable. The only downside is that these crowns are quite expensive and it may not be possible to get several porcelain crowns at once if you are on a tight budget.
There are also crowns made out of pressed ceramic. These crowns contain a core of ceramic wrapped up in a porcelain layer. This improves the durability of the crown while still maintaining its very realistic appearance.
Ceramic crowns are a good alternative to porcelain crowns if you don’t have the funds for porcelain. They are also quite durable and should last many years before wearing down.
All About Dental Crowns
Choosing dental crowns can be difficult but it doesn’t have to be impossible as long as you know what to look for. Dental crowns are important for protecting damaged teeth and improving their appearance. There are many options to choose from such as composite resin, porcelain, and pressed ceramic crowns.
While all of these crowns are good choices, some may last longer than others and some may cost more than others. To learn more about dental crowns, contact us here.