DENTAL CROWNS
Dental crowns have emerged as an ideal solution for those suffering from tooth decay, chips, cracks, or any other form of damage. Crowns are of importance as they offer oral health as well as cosmetic benefits. This is by improving the structure of a tooth thus making an individual flash a natural as well as bright smile. Dental crowns are custom made as per the client’s needs. They are designed carefully to complement the other teeth with respect to the colour, shape, size, and texture and also to restore the integrity as the patient bites with the teeth.
Importance of dental crowns:
Dental crowns have emerged as the cornerstone of dental industry. These are the prosthetic device that is used to cover up the dental flaw easily and effectively. It is fixed to the teeth by cement or used as implants and can be done by the dentist only. But why have dental crowns been considered as important tools of the dentistry industry?
The main reasons that dental crowns have gained importance are for the following reasons:
1. Crowns are always for the rescue of those teeth that are badly broken down or those that have been filled up heavily. They are needed to protect the already damaged teeth from further additional damage.
2. The other main function of dental crowns is to support either end of the bridge that is used to replace the missing teeth.
3. Crowns have been instrumental in helping to strengthen the broken down or weak tooth.
Types of dental crowns:
Dental crowns are of many types and are categorised based on the materials from which they are made. They are:
1. Metal crowns (includes alloys and gold):
This type of crown is made from alloys or even metals like the gold, palladium, chromium, or the nickel. Earlier, this was considered as the best option as they could withstand heavy biting and chewing. They were most commonly used for the molars. Stainless steel crowns is a kind of metal crown and is of immense value in case of children. But now these crowns are replaced by the ceramic which are considered as an ideal substitute. The main disadvantage of all metal crowns is the unsuitable colour that is not aesthetically accepted.
2. All ceramic or all porcelain:
These dental crowns have been used from time immemorial. All ceramic is made from pure ceramic and has been used widely as it blends well and gives the appearance of natural teeth. Ceramic crowns use engineered type of ceramics and are very robust and give an aesthetic appearance. The all ceramic type is the best dental crown as it can match the adjacent teeth and blend very well. To those patients who are prone for significant damage due to the grinding effect, e. Max porcelain crowns are preferred. This variety of modern ceramics is preferred as it is stain resistant, can withstand strong grinding and chewing forces, and has long life.
3. Porcelain fused to metal
These are the cross between metal and porcelain crowns. The porcelain fused metal crowns (PFM) have a metal structure that has layers of porcelain fused to it in an oven with high heat. PFM are very strong and can be used for front and back teeth. They display the original tooth colour. However, the metal in it inhibits the light transmission and can make the tooth appear dull or opaque. In case of any gum recession, the metal in PFM can be seen as dark edge underneath the tooth’s gum line.
4. Zirconia crowns:
This is the hardest and strongest ceramic crown available in the dental industry. The compound used is zirconium oxide which needs addition of yttrium oxide for stabilisation. This is highly aesthetic since the zirconia restorations is white ceramic and well tolerated by the body. It never corrodes but is very expensive.
Life of dental crowns:
On an average all dental crowns last for 8 to10 years. If good oral and dental hygiene is followed they may last longer. Brushing and flossing regularly helps in maintaining good health of dental crowns. The expert dentist can help in providing long standing dental crowns.
Dental crowns are definitely an important tool in the dental industry. With good oral and dental hygiene, it is possible to minimize cavities under the restorations and also increase the longevity of dental crowns. Dental crowns are a reason for many to smile in spite of dental flaws and are of high aesthetic significance.