Dental Crown Our teeth are a resilient feature of our body that allow us to chew, bite, speak, and smile with ease. Every now and then, however, teeth will undergo intense periods of stress and force, which can cause them damage. Fractures and chips can completely alter the shape of the tooth permanently and cause further issues. Our teeth are also constantly exposed to different bacteria that can wear down or infect our teeth. In some cases, the tooth may even become decayed and be in need of repair to eliminate pain and reduce any further infection. The common factor is that there are many reasons why a tooth might become misshapen or structurally altered. Fortunately, these conditions are readily and commonly treatable through the implementation of dental crowns. Our team here at Viva Smiles Family Dental is proud to offer any assistance with dental crown services. What Are Crowns and Who Needs Them?Dental crowns are like little caps for your teeth. They get placed on a tooth to repair or support its structure. When a tooth has been damaged, it poses a further risk of propagating another adverse effect or worsening a condition. With fractured teeth, there are risks with the difficulty in cleaning them, additional fracturing, and discomfort speaking and eating. For tooth decay from cavities or repairs like root canals, crowns are instrumental in providing structural support that protects the tooth from further decay. Many teeth that are fractured, chipped, or decayed may be eligible for receiving crown treatment. How crowns workIf your tooth was broken in some way, we will first shape the tooth into a smaller tooth, with a peg or stump-like structure. Impressions of the site will then be made, and a custom tooth will be created. The crown is then placed over the original tooth, completing it in the process. For decayed teeth, they are filled in as much as possible. Then they are shaved and carefully shaped into a stump, then undergo the same process. Types of Crowns and Their CompositionTwo types of crowns are overlay crowns and full crowns. An overlay (or a partial crown) is used when there is still a lot of structural tooth material available. In minor fractures or chips, this is common. Full crowns are for more severe fractures, and for decayed teeth, or teeth that had a root canal procedure done. The type of material also varies in crowns. There are options between metal, ceramic, and resin materials, with some being hybrids of two materials. Metal crowns are very strong, affordable, and durable. They are not prone to fracturing but are very noticeable unless used for rear molars. Gold is an option, but it comes at a higher price. Ceramic is strong, and it can be tooth-colored. Ceramic crowns are more resistant to staining, but they are also more likely to fracture. Resin crowns are more affordable than most types of crowns, but they tend to be weaker and can fracture more often than ceramic crowns. Finally, ceramic metal hybrids are good for having strong tooth-colored rear molars, so that the metal remains concealed. Choosing crowns is a unique process. While it might be tough to decide, our team here at Viva Smiles Family Dental is here to help. Contact us at (512) 863-9555 today with any questions you may have. |
