Dental crowns – uses and types

Dental crowns – what they arer
Crowns are a kind of covering which can be placed over a tooth which is broken or chipped. These are also used to fill the gap or a cavity in a tooth. It is a great alternative for improperly shaped teeth or even implants. This dental apparatus is used in general as well as cosmetic dentistry. A discolored or worn tooth can be effectively covered by using crowns. Crowns can be made from different materials such as metal, ceramic, etc. The color of the crowns can be altered to match with the natural color of the surrounding teeth. This makes them appear like the other teeth.
Where to use crownsr
Crowns not only help the teeth to retain their natural shape rather these improves the strength and functionality of the teeth and renders a proper jaw alignment. These can be used under the following conditions –
• A broken or fractured tooth
• Cavity or gap in the tooth
• Replace a worn out tooth filling
• Improve the facial appearance
• Strengthen a fragile tooth
• Replace a discolored tooth
• Cover a broken dental implantr
Types of crownsr
Earlier, crowns made of metal were a standard however with the passage of time, various disadvantages of these crown were discovered. This gave rise to the development of porcelain and ceramic crowns. These days, crowns made of a combination of metal and porcelain known as metal porcelain crowns or porcelain fused metal crowns are also available. Some crowns are used being manufactured using metal alloys and acrylic.
A comparison of different types of crownsr
Metal crowns are very strong which can withstand the heaviest chewing forces and last longer. However these types of crowns have other drawbacks which make them less popular. Firstly, these give a very unattractive appearance when these are visible. Another disadvantage of metallic crowns is their trait of blocking x-rays. This might be a preferable feature in many cases, but in this case, it is a huge disadvantage as if the person has to undergo a dental treatment in the later stage, it will be tough to determine the actual condition of the inner part of the decayed tooth with the help of x-rays.
Placing a crownr
The process of mounting a crown involves a number of steps. First off, the tooth has to be filled so that the crown can be fitted properly. If there is a gap or crack in the tooth, the dentist will use a filling material in the gap. The next step is to take the impression of the tooth so that a similar shaped crown can be designed which may take a few days. Until the ordered crown is ready, a temporary crown can be placed for the ease of the patient. When the crown is ready, it is cemented according to the bite pattern of the person.