Dental Crowns

Cosmetic Solutions with Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a custom-made artificial tooth cap that completely covers a chipped, cracked or damaged tooth. The crown fits over the original tooth or over a dental implant to provide a natural look. Most commonly, dental crowns are a restoration procedure for teeth needing more structural support and long-lasting protection than cavity fillings or inlays.  
 

Advantages of Dental Crowns

SupportWhile dental veneers only conceal the front surface of a tooth, dental crowns cover 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.

long lasting 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.

Tooth PreservationDental crowns seal the damaged teeth off from bacteria in the saliva that can cause teeth to deteriorate. They can also hold together cracked teeth, preserving their functionality.

NaturalThe dental lab can custom mold dental crowns that closely match the curves and shape of your other teeth.

VersatileIn 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.
 

Choosing a Dental Crown

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.

 

Types of Dental Crowns
	Benefits	Drawbacks
All-Ceramic Crowns or All-Porcelain Crowns	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	None
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns	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	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
Gold Alloy Crowns	Provide support and durability Long-lasting Great choice for posterior teeth or those who grind and clench their teeth	Less esthetically pleasing because completely composed of metal Not as popular because do not look as natural

 

Dental Crown Procedure

1. 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.
    
2. Permanent Dental Crown: After the tooth preparation, we give you a temporary crown made of acrylic or stainless steel to wear until your permanent dental 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 dental 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.

 

 

MSP St Paul Top Dentist Minnesota Monthly Magazine Top Dentist PPM Mouth Guards Smile Benefits - No Insurance? No Problem. Boger Center for Professional Development

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