Did it ever happen to you where you have an issue with the restoration of your tooth? You heard that the recommendation is to put a dental crown instead of a dental filling. Then you defer the treatment for cost reasons because you think it is cheaper to redo the filling for a problem tooth with a previous dental filling displaced.
The above situation is just one of the various reasons a dental crown becomes the favored treatment choice. A damaged and heavily filled tooth should receive a dental crown if the objective is to keep the tooth sturdy for a longer time.
The dentist will suggest using a dental crown instead of a dental filling for the following reasons:
- As ultimate protection for a weakened or hugely decayed tooth (or teeth), to prevent collapsing or breaking of the remaining thin tooth structure.
- To better re-establish a severely worn down, damaged, or broken tooth. To cap, envelop and protect a largely filled tooth that tends to break when you bite on hard food.
- As a durable restoration for a Root Canal treated tooth as it eventually becomes brittle and cracks later when not restored with a suitable cap or crown restoration.
- To improve the appearance of misshapen, malformed, and shortened teeth.
- To tighten the gap between teeth’s contiguous areas where frequent food traps occur
- For cosmetic teeth enhancement
- As a crown component for a dental implant
Selecting a dental crown over a cheaper dental filling for a tooth with extensive damage is the most practical solution. Regarding the price, dental crowns cost higher when compared to a dental filling. Still, dental crowns are practically affordable if the reason is for better and longer teeth function. There is no denying that saving a single tooth is less expensive than dealing with the aftermath of losing one. When you lost a tooth, the nearby teeth will shift their position towards space. As a result, little gaps can form between the other teeth, trapping more food particles in-between, which is more difficult to brush and clean. In addition, the opposing teeth can draw out of position and elongate towards the gap left by the extracted tooth. Such changes in your teeth alignment can result in complex teeth maintenance and future dental trouble requiring more extensive treatment.
At Smile More Dental Clinic, we have a wide range of dental services, including dental crowns. We carefully examine the patient’s dental status before recommending a particular dental treatment, like getting a jacket or dental crown is the suggested treatment course.
We offer different types of materials for dental crowns and the methods of providing them.
When dentists suggest that you require a Dental Crown
Indeed, not all teeth restoration will frequently need a crown. But in terms of usefulness, jacket crowns are superior compared to dental fillings. Generally, the dentist will advise the need for a crown restoration when the tooth has deteriorated. Progressive tooth decay and broken dental fillings can weaken the residual tooth structure. If we exhaustively use a dental filling, the damage can reach the dental pulp, which will cause the tooth to hurt. A painful tooth needs Root Canal Treatment, and the cost is nearly the same with a dental crown. In addition, putting a jacket crown will strengthen and stabilize the tooth, retain its usual chewing property, and help enhance your smile.
Commonly Available Dental Crowns:
Metal Crown
Since this is not a natural-looking alternative, most patients do not like this one. The silver or gold appearance can impact a patient’s beautiful smile. Somehow, they can be proposed if the tooth involved is found at the inner area or away from the patient’s smile line. Nowadays, this kind of dental crown is least preferred.
Metal Crown
Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM)
Most dental clinics typically offer PFM, and patients like them because of the affordable cost and the pace by which they can be fabricated. As the term implied, the outer porcelain layer is formed around the metal core or base. The common drawback for this type is the dullness of color as they are sometimes hard to match with the natural translucency of the actual teeth. Because the inner metal core repels the light rays, resulting in the dull color appearance of the PFM. Also, because of the double layer required for the metal and porcelain thickness, more teeth structure must be cut off to give way for the material’s thickness. However, when the shade is carefully chosen, the color can come close to the adjacent teeth. Although these crowns can be used on almost any teeth, they are not highly esthetics because the greyish shadow of metal near the gum line is commonly observed. However, these crowns work well on any teeth and allow the patient to eat most foods. Under PFM, we categorize them into two types:
- Porcelain Fused to Ordinary Metal – this is the much cheaper category of PFM that can work well for few years. Hence, the inner metal component is made of ordinary metal types, thus, not that favorable to the gums and surrounding tissue structures.
- Porcelain Fused to Semi-Precious Metal (ex: “Tilite“)— this is the improved type and uses “Tilite” or a much lighter metal base underneath the porcelain build-up. Considered bio-compatible, the metal is gum-friendly. Provided appropriately done, they can last for many years and much longer compared to the ordinary metal type that can sometimes set off gum’s indisposed reaction.
Emax Crowns
Ordinarily selected for front teeth wherein the bite tendency is less heavy. The metal component is not present on this crown that mainly incorporates lithium disilicate. This glass-ceramic material gives the dental crown a boost of translucency — exacting natural teeth. Emax crown is an alternate choice for patients allergic to metal. Though this type is cheaper than the Zirconia counterpart, they are not that rigid and a bit brittle. Emax is not ordinarily used in areas of the mouth like in molar regions. Forceful and persistent chewing can cause them to be damaged. The bite must be carefully adjusted when doing this crown to avoid future splintering.
Zirconia Dental Crowns
Zirconia is a more popular choice recently because of its versatility in terms of esthetics and strength. Zirconia appears flawless and looks natural as they have various shades to choose from. In the absence of metal components, they can offer a similar translucent effect with natural teeth. In addition, Zirconia is known to be gum-friendly. It does not cause an allergic reaction to gums, compared to metal-laden dental crowns with corrosion issues. They can be used on any permanent teeth, front or molars. Most patients who availed Zirconia crowns achieved a sensible comfort and smile improvement; that is why the cost becomes less of a deterrent, especially if they can afford them.
Zirconia Dental Crowns
Consider the Right Choice for Your Health Needs and Cost-Effective Goals
Receiving a dental crown, when needed, can result in better health and avoid dental issues that can cost you losing teeth or even a nice smile. Every patient’s situation is unique. Doing a dental crown is a customized effort, so the best fit and performance are attained. As you were given the different material types available for dental crowns, you can decide which one is more suitable for you. They all have their advantages, limitations, and the expense involved. In the end, you will have to live with the crown of your choice, so you can ask for our assistance in case you want more information regarding them.
Request an appointment by calling +632 8 6429761 or +63905-3350118 to know more about the dental crowns you might be needing.
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