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Types of dental crowns - Gold, porcelain fused to metal & zirconia crowns
Types of dental crowns – Types of dental crowns – Gold, porcelain fused to metal & zirconia crowns. Little Pearls dental care specialists.
By Little Pearls Dentistry
What Is A Dental Crown?
In dentistry, a dental crown is referred to as a cap for a broken or damaged tooth. It can be manufactured from multiple materials such as porcelain or metal.
Before understanding the various types of dental crowns, it is important to understand the causes of a dental crown.
Dental crowns are often recommended by Endodontists to individuals with a weak tooth after a severe cavity or decay. It can also be used to replace a large filling or a natural tooth that is cracked or damaged.
In today’s technologically advanced world, dental crowns range in a variety of types based on the material used to manufacture them.
Below are some of the types of dental crowns available, along with each of their advantages and disadvantages.
Types of Dental Crowns
Gold Dental Crowns
The first type of dental crowns is the gold or metal dental crowns. These are an amalgamation of copper, nickel, chromium, as well as other metals. Due to this combination of materials, gold crowns are often extolled for their strength and durability.
Advantages of Gold Dental Crowns
1. Durability
As gold dental crowns are manufactured with a 100% metal body, it speaks volumes about durability and endurance.
Furthermore, they are highly resistant and much stronger than any other type of dental crown found in the market.
2. Premium Fitting
Another advantage of having a metal dental crown is that it offers individuals a premium fit. When working with precious metals, it is important to recognize the fact that they are mold making them easy to work with.
Besides, they are quite malleable and can be adjusted as per the tooth of the individuals.
Due to this reason, there is less tooth reduction that is needed and can be adjusted in a lesser surface area of the entire tooth. In simpler terms, orthodontists remove fewer amounts of the natural tooth to fit the crown.
Disadvantages of Gold Dental Crowns
Like a coin has two sides, gold dental crowns have their own set of disadvantages which may hinder your final decision of buying them.
1. Appearance
The biggest flaw of gold dental crowns is their appearance. As they tend to have a lustrous metallic shine to them, they tend to look fake and mask the appearance of the natural tooth.
Furthermore, as our teeth are white, the addition of a gold dental crown decreases the natural aesthetic appeal of your teeth.
To top it all off, their shiny nature tends to highlight the less visible regions of your teeth. In other words, they highlight the teeth which are hard to see. These may include your lower set of molas, the upper set of molars, etc.
2. Allergies
As gold dental crowns are composed of metal, they may cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Therefore, it is often recommended to consult your local orthodontist before purchasing a gold crown for your teeth.
Porcelain Dental Crowns
Another type of dental crown is the porcelain crown. These are quite common and popular in today’s dynamic world. They are also known as ceramic dental crowns.
When compared to other types of dental crowns, porcelain crowns are relatively much more natural in terms of appearance.
Advantages of Porcelain Dental Crowns
1. Natural Appearance
Firstly, porcelain dental crowns are renowned for their natural appearance. They tend to mimic the reflective properties of light and highlight the characteristics of ordinary tooth enamel.
The best part about them is that they can be customised to be very translucent and thin to suit your tastes and preferences.
2. Multi-Functional
Another advantage of using porcelain dental crowns is that they are multi-functional. They are designed to improve the colour, shape, and position all at once.
On the whole, if you have a range of dental flaws such as staining, discoloration, fractured teeth, then a good quality porcelain dental crown is the best choice for you as it can tackle all of these issues at one go.
3. Safe
Porcelain dental crowns are biocompatible. In simpler terms, there is no metal used to manufacture them, making them safe to be used on your teeth.
Disadvantages of Porcelain Dental Crowns
Firstly, porcelain dental crowns cannot be altered. In other words, once they are secured, the shape or color cannot be changed.
Moreover, if they break, the entire unit needs to be replaced, leading to additional costs for individuals.
Lastly, they are not as durable as gold dental crowns. Even though they have a long shelf life, they require regular care and maintenance.
Porcelain Fused-to-Metal Crowns (PFM)
When speaking about the various types of dental crowns, it is important to make note of the Porcelain-fused-to-metal or PFM crowns. These are other types of dental crowns that are quite common and popular in the vast field of dentistry. They are also used by Pediatric dentists for restorative treatment in Kids.
In a nutshell, these types of dental crowns are known for their strength and aesthetics, as they provide the best of both metal and porcelain. They can also be used by an oral surgeon after an implant procedure.
Advantages of PFM Dental Crowns
PFM dental crowns are a great tool for boosting the aesthetics and durability of your teeth. If you take a closer look at a PFM crown, you will notice that the outer shell is made out of porcelain. This helps to mimic the look of your natural teeth. Inside, it is composed of a durable metal body to enhance the strength and rigidity of the crown.
Zirconia Dental Crowns
Zirconia dental crowns have emerged as a fresh entrant into the dental market. Composed of zirconium, these types of dental crowns are known for their longevity and strength. These zirconia crowns can also be used on dental implants and for cosmetic dentistry such as smile makeovers.
Disadvantages of Zirconia Dental Crowns
Even though these types of dental crowns are tough and long-lasting, the material is known to be abrasive, which may cause further damage to your teeth, rather than helping them.
Therefore, it is important to consult your orthodontist to determine whether this dental crown is a good choice for you or not.
Strip crowns for kids
Strip crown is used in Pediatric dentistry and is made of resin & composites. They are cured with UV light after preparing the tooth surface. The composite gain structural integrity when exposed to UV light and restore the functionality in kids. Many dentists in Bangalore usually use them for the anterior teeth to restore aesthetics and oral functions.
Treatment with dental crowns before and after
On the whole, it is quite evident that dental crowns range in a variety of types. To find the best one for you, you should check with your doctor to see which type of dental crown best suits your needs and requirements. Conditions such as minor midline diastema can also be closed with dental crowns or veneers by a cosmetic dentist instead of an Orthodontist using dental braces.