For chipped, cracked, severely discolored, or decaying teeth, dental crowns may be the solution you are seeking to restore your smile.
A dental crown is a custom-made artificial tooth cap that completely covers a damaged tooth. Most commonly, dental crowns are a restoration procedure for teeth needing more structural support and long-lasting protection than cavity fillings or inlays. At our dental office in Plymouth Minnesota, we restore your confident smile.
| While a dental veneer only conceals a tooth’s front surface, a dental crown covers the entire damaged tooth, restoring functionality, shape, size, and strength to the tooth. This is especially important for posterior teeth where up to 150-200 lbs. of pressure can be placed on the teeth while chewing.
| Dental crowns are designed to last several years when accompanied by good oral hygiene. On average, they last at least ten years, but generally much longer depending on the type of crown and oral health of the patient.
| A dental crown seals the damaged tooth off from bacteria in the saliva that can cause the tooth to deteriorate. It can also hold together a cracked tooth, preserving its functionality.
| The dental lab can custom mold a dental crown that closely matches the curves and shape of your other teeth.
| In addition to tooth protection and restoration, dental crowns can be used in connection with a variety of procedures in cosmetic dentistry:
Dental Implants: Dental crowns are used to cap the metal rod implant in place of a missing tooth.
Dental Bridges: Dental crowns on the teeth adjacent to the bridge serve as anchors for the bridge to clamp onto for support.
Root Canal Therapy: We highly recommend dental caps to protect brittle teeth after root canal therapy.
There are three general types of dental crowns composed of different materials: all-ceramic crowns, porcelain crowns, and gold alloy crowns. Each type of crown is best suited for different areas of the mouth, esthetic considerations, durability requirements, and strength demands. At our initial consultation, we will assess your situation and decide together what type of dental crown would best enhance your smile.
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Drawbacks |
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All-Ceramic Crowns or All-Porcelain Crowns
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- Translucent quality makes them the most natural-looking
- Metal-free
- Great for anterior as well as posterior teeth because they're most esthetically pleasing
- Work well in small spaces
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Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns
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- Metal core makes them stronger and more durable
- Most esthetically pleasing choice next to all-ceramic crown
- Strength and esthetics combined into one crown make it more versatile
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- Metal rim can be exposed as gums recede
- Wear on opposing teeth
- Porcelain can chip or break
- Metal core decreases natural translucent look of tooth
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Gold Alloy Crowns
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- Provide support and durability
- Long-lasting
- Great choice for posterior teeth or those who grind and clench their teeth
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- Less esthetically pleasing because completely composed of metal
- Not as popular because do not look as natural
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- Prepare Tooth: After setting up an initial consultation where we assess your situation and determine the type of dental crown best suited for you, we prepare your damaged tooth by shaving off the enamel and reshaping the tooth in preparation for the added thickness of the tooth cap. We send impressions of your teeth before and after the tooth preparation to the dental lab where they fashion your permanent dental crown.
- Permanent Crown: After the tooth preparation, we give you a temporary crown made of acrylic or stainless steel to wear until your permanent crown is finished. At that point we adhesively bond the permanent cap over your damaged tooth. No further work is necessary except good oral hygiene to preserve the crown.
To take a step towards restoring your beautiful smile, contact our Minneapolis area office. We are happy to meet with you and explain more about porcelain crowns as well as your other options.
