A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap which is placed over the tooth to restore its size and shape, strength and also its appearance. The dental crowns which are cemented into the place to fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth which lies above the gum line.
A dental crown is required in the following situations:
- In order to make a cosmetic modification
- To hold a dental bridge in the right place
- To cover a dental implant
- To restore a broken tooth or a tooth which has been severely worn down
- To hold parts of a cracked tooth or to protect a weak tooth from breaking.
- To cover the severely discolored tooth.
- To cover and support a large tooth when there are not many healthy teeth left.
For the children, dental crowns might be used on their primary teeth in order to:
- If a child has difficulty to keep up with daily oral hygiene, it is better to protect the teeth of a child at high risk for tooth decay.
- Save a tooth which has been so damaged by decay and can’t support a filling.
- To fully cooperate with the requirements of proper dental care, it is good to decrease the frequency of general anesthesia for the children unable because of their behavior, age or medical history.
In these cases, a pediatric dentist will recommend a stainless steel crown for the children.
Permanent crowns can be made from all ceramic, all resin, gold or another alloy, and stainless steel.
- Metals used in crowns include alloys which have a high content of platinum or gold, or base metal alloys (nickel chromium, and cobalt chromium). Metal crowns withstand biting and chewing forces well and will last for a very long time. Metal crowns rarely break or chip and are a good option for out of sight molars. Here, the only drawback is the metallic color.
- All-resin crowns are cheaper than other types. But they and are prone to fractures than porcelain crowns and will wear down over time.
- Stainless steel crowns- They are prefabricated crowns which are used on permanent teeth as a temporary measure. The crown is bound to protect the filling or tooth while a permanent is made from another material. A stainless steel crown is more preferred for the children as they are careless about maintaining it. It protects the tooth from decay as it covers the entire area. When the primary tooth comes out to make space for the permanent teeth, the crown also comes out. Stainless steel crowns are very cost effective and are perfect for children’s teeth as it doesn’t require multiple dental visits to put it in place.
- All-porcelain or ceramic provide the natural color of the teeth and are suitable for people who are allergic to All-ceramic crowns can be used for back and front teeth.
- Permanent versus temporary – Permanent crowns are made in the dental lab whereas the temporary is made in the dentist’s office.