Dental crowns are commonly used for restoration of damaged teeth and sometimes for cosmetic purposes. Many people have at least one crown, whether it’s a metal crown or a tooth-colored crown made of porcelain or composite materials. In general, crowns can be cared for just like the rest of your teeth.
There are several types of dental crowns. The type used depends upon your preferences, the preferences of your dentist, and the location and type of the tooth being treated. Different types of crowns require slightly different considerations when it comes to long-term care, but for the most part, regular dental hygiene and some minor precautions will keep your crowns looking good for years to come.
The major types of dental crowns are:
Temporary crowns to treat baby teeth. These are often made of stainless steel, which is relatively inexpensive. Since the baby teeth will fall out, there is no need to use an expensive permanent crown.
Gold crowns. Used to treat adult teeth, these crowns are durable but very visible. They can also cause intermittent discomfort because they are conductive. This is more common when the crown is placed over a tooth that already has a metal filling. Gold crowns are more often used on molars because they stand up well to chewing pressures.
Porcelain crowns. These crowns are tooth-colored and are often used on front teeth where a gold crown would be considered unattractive. Porcelain is not as durable as metal, and you should take some precautions to avoid chipping or breaking the crown.
Metal bonded with porcelain. These crowns are made of metal but covered with tooth-colored porcelain. They stand up well to chewing pressures and also have a natural look. The porcelain can still chip or break, however.
Crowns are usually reserved for restorations. If a tooth is severely cracked or has broken off, a crown is the best way to make it usable again. Crowns are also placed on teeth that have undergone root canal therapy.
To discuss more of your options, contact our dentist office today!
WE ARE OPEN
Dear Thompson Dental Family,
We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. We have missed seeing everyone at our office! Our community has been through a lot over the last few months and all of us are looking forward to transitioning back to our normal operations.
While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety. Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice, and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it is both safe and comfortable. Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:
We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at 972-346-2992 or visit our contact page.
Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors, and friends.
Please contact our office if you have any concerns.