A dental crown is a prosthetic treatment permanently placed over a natural tooth or a dental implant that behaves as a sheath to restore its lost function and esthetics. They belong to the dental treatment called fixed prostheses and, as their name suggests, cannot be removed by the patients. This treatment is an essential alternative to restore teeth with extensive decay and damage when a regular filling is not possible. Unlike dental bridges, dental crowns are individual treatments for each tooth. Thereby, if you have several teeth affected, they will need a dental crown each.
Crowns are an effective therapy to deal with many clinical situations. For years now, they have represented one of the most used prosthetic alternatives to deal with a heavily damaged tooth. Amongst their many uses, they are indicated in the following situations:
Hence, they have many applications in modern dentistry, allowing your dentist to deal with many complex oral problems.
There are many reasons to have your dental crown treatment done. First, these devices substitute and restore all the lost features of a damaged tooth. These features include chewing, speaking, and your appearance.
When you have fractured or damaged teeth, their state can compromise your diet, cause pain, lead to infections and abscesses, and even induce teeth loss. Thereby, dental crowns avoid all the negative consequences that damaged teeth can cause.
Moreover, extensive decay also affects your breath, as leftovers can get trapped inside the cavities. Decay also perturbs your gums, compromising your periodontal health and inducing bone loss and loose teeth.
Thus, a well‑adapted dental crown not only restores the function of your teeth but improves your self‑esteem and personal image. With current materials and technology in dentistry, dental crowns mimic almost perfectly the natural look of your denture, making the treatment unnoticeable. What’s more, people with dental crowns often forget that they have dental prostheses in the first place.
Finally, dental crowns are long‑lasting restorations that can endure even decades with proper care and hygiene.
Gold crowns are highly durable and resistant crowns made from metal alloys that include nickel and chromium. Although these crowns have excellent durability, they are not the first choice due to their non‑optimal appearance.
Porcelain is the most used material for fixed prosthetic dental treatment nowadays. These crowns are made entirely from porcelain materials, offering excellent results in both function and esthetics. Amongst their advantages, we can find:
These are also called fused‑to‑metal (FTM) porcelain crowns, and they are widely used as well. Unlike all‑porcelain crowns, FTM crowns are more affordable and provide a higher resistance while maintaining their esthetic look. Their inner metal core allows withstanding great forces while maintaining a natural appearance. On the downside, they are not as aesthetic as all‑porcelain crowns.
Zirconia crowns are the newest and most popular choice now. Zirconium is a new ceramic material that provides both high durability and excellent aesthetics. These crowns allow your dentist to create more conservative crowns with outstanding aesthetic features. Due to their strength and durability, they are a reliable alternative that can last many years.
These crowns, also known as E‑MAX crowns, make the most from current technology and advanced equipment. Similar to zirconia crowns, these devices are lightweight while being durable and esthetic. Moreover, they can be made inside the dental office with the appropriate equipment. However, although they also offer excellent results and performance, they can be rather expensive.
Finally, crowns can also classify depending on the type of structure they are placed on. As their name suggests, dental crowns only replace the upper part of teeth. Thereby, they need a solid base as an anchor.
This stage involves a full assessment from your dentist in San Jose, including some x‑rays, gypsum models, medical history, and any other additional exam required. It is essential to consider that every crown is a fully customized and unique treatment designed to restore your tooth and avoid further problems. Thereby, you might need some previous treatments before starting your crown process. Sometimes, these treatments can include a professional cleaning, some fillings, root canal treatments, and others. After a few visits to Dr. Diaz and once your teeth and gums are free from infections and caries, your dentist can start with the process.
During this stage, Dr. Diaz performs minor wear of your teeth surfaces to provide enough room for your new crown. This procedure is done under local anesthesia to avoid discomfort or pain. Sometimes, she might require reconstructing parts of your teeth with resin composite or placing a post to increase the strength. Once the preparation is over, she takes a dental impression and seats a provisional crown while the crown is ready. Meanwhile, the crown is made in a dental laboratory at the hands of professional technicians. During this time, you must take care of your provisional to avoid exposing your teeth.
Once your crown is ready, Dr. Diaz removes the temporary restoration and fixes your new crown with specialized cement. After the cementation process, your new crown is permanently placed over your root, allowing you to eat, speak, and look like you have your natural teeth.
The price will vary depending on several factors, such as the material used and the preparation. As we stated before, some materials are more expensive than others. Moreover, some teeth require multiple therapies to allow their restoration, which can increase the budget.
However, usually, crowns can have prices that go from $500 to $2000 per tooth. Of course, the cost can be eased by your insurance. In the end, Dr. Diaz will offer you plenty of options and make a treatment plan that adjusts to your needs and your budget.
Once your dental crowns are in place, they will feel, behave, and look like your natural teeth. Thereby, in essence, you must take care of them as you would with your original teeth. Among the measures you can take, consider the following:
