Find out all about the dental crown from the article:
- What is a dental crown?
- When do I need a dental crown?
- What is a dental crown made of?
- How much does a dental crown cost?
- How do I maintain my dental crown?
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a type of fixed denture, meant to replace the natural crown of the tooth (the visible part of the tooth, above the root and the gingival margin).
When do I need a dental crown?
If caries (tooth decay) damages the tooth so badly, that it can not be re-established with a dental filling or inlay, a dental crown is the effective solution. A dental crown is also necessary if we wish to replace a lost tooth with a dental implant. In this case, the dental implant substitutes the natural root, and the dental crown substitutes the natural crown of the lost tooth.
What is a dental crown made of?
Basically, there are five different types of crowns, deferring in several aspects.
- Metal crowns are usually used in less visible areas, for they are all-metal, therefor less aesthetic.
- Porcelain fused to metal or metal-ceramic crowns have a metal base, which is covered in layers of ceramic on the inside. These are aesthetically very similar to the natural teeth.
- All-ceramic crown: completely made of ceramic, which makes it the most expensive type of dental crown. Nevertheless, all-ceramic crowns are the most aesthetic among all dental crowns. It is possible to require all-ceramic crowns in the visible area for aesthetic purposes, and metal-ceramic crowns at the back.
- Galvanic gold crowns are similar to all-ceramic crowns considering aesthetics and quality, but are made of a ceramic cover established on a base of upscale gold alloys.
- Partial crowns are applied if it is possible to prevent the use of a complete crown. They are inserted inside the tooth in cases when the visible surface of the tooth is not damaged.
How much does a dental crown cost?
The most commonly used dental crown types are metal-ceramic and all-ceramic crowns. The costs of a crown depend on several factors, like material, manufacturer, etc. Please see our informative price list here.
How do I maintain my dental crown?
There are no special tools needed to clean dental crowns. A quality toothbrush, dental floss or a brush for in between the crowns are sufficient. It is however important to pay attention to adequate oral hygiene, because potential leftovers and bacteria lead to plaque build-up. This may cause bad breath, discoloration of the teeth and crowns, inflammation of the gum and even tooth (dental implant) loss in the long-term. Dentists usually propose a check-up and a professional plaque and scale removal every six months to prevent future problems.
