DENTAL CROWNS IN AURORA
A dental crown is a dental restoration that covers the entirety or the chewing surface of the tooth. Its role is to hold tooth fragments together to prevent the tooth from fracturing or disintegrating.
WHEN ARE DENTAL CROWNS NEEDED?
Sometimes a tooth’s structure becomes seriously damaged. When this happens, a dental crown can be built to protect against further damage and help restore the tooth’s shape, form, and function.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DENTAL CROWNS?
Two types of crowns can be used: a traditional dental crown, and a partial crown, or dental onlay. The tooth’s condition determines the solution, but as techniques and materials evolve, partial crowns/dental onlays are preferred.
TRADITIONAL DENTAL CROWN
Traditional dental crowns are often designed to cover the entire tooth, much like a helmet.
PARTIAL DENTAL CROWN
Sometimes, only a select area of the tooth is affected. In these cases a partial crown/dental onlay is recommended.
DENTAL CROWNS – MATERIALS
Gold or full metal alloys are considered the “gold standard of dental restorations, however these materials have shortcomings that have led to the use of newer materials. The porcelain-fused-to-metal method pairs the benefits of gold dental crown restorations with a more aesthetically flexible solution. Combined porcelain and metal dental crowns are preferred in highly visible areas of the mouth.
The last decade has also seen improvements in the quality of dental ceramics. The majority of dental crowns are ceramic. Chemically bonded to the enamel and dentin surfaces of the tooth, ceramic crowns restore the missing or compromised tooth structure without removing additional structure. Various ceramic materials are used, including Emax or Zirconium and even traditional water and powder porcelains.
WHICH DENTAL CROWN MATERIAL IS RECOMMENDED?
No material is a superior choice. Depending on a tooth’s requirements, Dr. Pasha will determine the material best suited to your situation.
DENTAL CROWN PROCEDURE
A dental crown procedure involves tooth preparation, including removal or build up of compromised tooth structure covered by the crown. This restoration is called a CORE restoration or build up.
Once the preparation is complete, we take an impression used to communicate the shape and form of the tooth to the dental laboratory. The laboratory then fabricates the dental crown based on the design and structural requirements indicated. The fabrication process may take a few days to complete.
STAGES OF A DENTAL CROWN TREATMENT
Appointment 1: Preparation and Impression
Dr. Pasha prepares the tooth and takes an impression for the fabrication of the dental crown. An impression is then shared with the dental laboratory. Once the impression is made, a temporary dental crown is placed on the tooth to protect the underlying structure.
Appointment 2: Dental Crown Insertion
Once the crown is ready, an insertion appointment is scheduled where the temporary crown is removed and the final crown is placed to evaluate fit and comfort. Once proper fit is confirmed, the crown is permanently bonded to the tooth structure.
HOW LONG DO DENTAL CROWNS LAST?
The longevity of a dental crown depends on many factors:
1. The health and structural stability of the tooth when the crown is being placed.
2. The presence of sufficient enamel/tooth structure for the crown or onlay to bond to.
3. Absence or presence of periodontal disease.
4. Amount of force being applied to the tooth while in use.
5. Oral hygiene and maintenance after the insertion of the crown.
Under ideal circumstances, you can expect a dental crown to last anywhere from 10-20 years but this varies by each individual tooth.