What are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns (also known as dental ‘caps’) are used in both restorative and cosmetic dentistry. By covering a damaged tooth, they can improve the function and appearance of the tooth. Dental crowns are also used to cap dental implants or hold dental bridges in place. You can get the smile you have always wanted by undergoing this simple treatment.

A Good Candidate for Dental Crowns

Most healthy, well-adjusted people are good candidates for dental crowns. If you have damaged or decayed teeth, dental crowns can restore their original function and improve your health. If you want to improve the appearance of stained or misaligned teeth, dental crowns can make your smile more aesthetically pleasing.

As there are many different types of dental crowns available, you can choose one that is right for you. Your dentist will be able to help you make decisions regarding your treatment after he or she has established that you are a good candidate for dental crowns.

Benefits of Dental Crowns:

· Protect a weak tooth from further decay or breakage (if the tooth is starting to crack)

· Restore a tooth that has been worn away over time or broken during a traumatic incident

· Cover and support a tooth that has a large filling when there is not much tooth left

· Cap a dental implant

· Hold a dental bridge in place

· Cover a tooth that is severely discolored and has been resistant to teeth whitening

· Improve the appearance of misshapen or misaligned teeth so you have a straighter smile

A good candidate for dental crowns needs to be committed to looking after their dental crowns and maintain good oral hygiene. They need to be disciplined about cleaning and flossing their teeth so no food particles get trapped under the dental crown and cause further tooth decay.

Both adults and adolescents are good candidates for dental crowns. Children are usually treated with fillings or metal crowns because their teeth are not permanent. If an adolescent requires a dental crown to treat tooth decay, they should discuss why they have such damage at an early age with their dentist and see if other issues need to be addressed.

Pregnant women are not usually good candidates for dental crowns because x-rays are required and this would expose the pregnancy to radiation. If the woman wants dental crowns for aesthetic reasons it would be best if she waited until after giving birth. If she needs dental crowns for health or functional reasons, she will need to speak to the dentist about her available options.

To be a good candidate for dental crowns you need to have healthy gums. This may be an issue if your teeth are generally in bad shape. If your teeth have significantly decayed, you may require a root canal before getting dental crowns so they can protect and strengthen your teeth.

If you are a good candidate for dental crowns you may also be a good candidate for other dental procedures such as dental bridges, dental implants or dental veneers. Talk to your dentist today about what your options are.

Types of Dental Crowns

There are many different types of dental crowns available to patients wanting to correct the function or aesthetics of their teeth. Each type of dental crown is made of a different material: metal, porcelain fused to metal, resin, ceramic, porcelain or acrylic/stainless steel. Depending on what sort of results the patient desires, a specific dental crown will be chosen. Some dental crowns are designed for specific locations in the mouth while others are designed to treat specific issues.

Your dentist will examine your situation and make sure you are a good candidate for dental crowns before discussing which type is best for you.

Metal Dental Crowns: Metal dental crowns are good for individuals who require crowns on their back molars because they are strong and can withstand chewing and grinding. They are usually made of gold, nickel, chromium or a mixture of metals which means their metallic color is observable.

They are the most durable type of dental crown and can last for a lengthy amount of time without chipping or breaking.

Porcelain Fused to Metal Dental Crowns: These types of dental crowns are strong and appear natural so they can be used on both front and back teeth. The color is matched to your surrounding teeth so the crown does not look out of place. As the name suggests, the dental crowns are actually porcelain fused to metal, not completely porcelain.

One of the main disadvantages of this type of dental crown is that the metal along your gum line may begin to show as your gums recede over time. The surrounding teeth may also be worn down by these dental crowns, more so than with metal or resin crowns.

Although porcelain fused to metal dental crowns are very durable, they are not completely resistant to chipping or breaking.

All Porcelain or all Ceramic Dental Crowns: These types of dental crowns look the most natural and although they are significantly strong, they are not strong enough to be durable back teeth. That is why they are most often used as crowns for front and side teeth. They can be very closely color matched to not stand out.

All porcelain or all ceramic dental crowns are however, more prone to chipping and breaking than metal or porcelain fused to metal dental crowns. These types of dental crowns are particularly suitable for patients who have allergies to metal.

Resin Dental Crowns: Resin dental crowns are the least durable type of dental crown because resin is not a strong of substance as porcelain, ceramic or metal. They are particularly prone to fracturing and breaking and often need to be replaced. One of the main advantages of resin dental crowns is their affordable cost.

Temporary Dental Crowns: Temporary dental crowns can be made out of acrylic or stainless steel and are created in the dental office. They are not custom made to fit you perfectly but placed over your tooth after your first dental appointment.

Temporary crowns are designed to cover a filed down tooth while you are waiting for your actual crown. They are not as durable and need to be looked after carefully.

Dental Crowns Procedure

The dental crown procedure is made up of two parts. This may or may not be in addition to your initial consultation where the dentist establishes if you are a good candidate for dental crowns. The time between each appointment will depend on the dentist and clinic and how soon they can make your dental crowns.

At your first appointment, the dentist will examine and prepare your tooth or teeth. He will take an x-ray of your teeth and make sure that your gums and teeth are healthy enough to support the dental crown. If you have extensive tooth decay that has started to affect the pulp in the middle of your tooth, you may require a root canal before getting dental crowns.

The first part of the dental crown procedure is normally carried out in an outpatient clinic under local anesthetic. The dentist numbs the area around the tooth and gum that will be treated and begins preparing the tooth to receive the crown.

The tooth is filed down along the top and sides and the amount of tooth removed depends on what type of dental crown will be used. If a large part of your tooth is missing because of tooth decay, the dentist will actually build up the tooth so it supports the crown.

Next, an impression of the tooth will be taken so a crown can be created to fit perfectly. To keep the new dental crown from adversely affecting your bite, impressions of the teeth above and around the tooth will also be taken. You will be fitted with a temporary acrylic crown until the custom one is ready.

Your dental crown should be finished in 2-3 weeks. When you go for your second appointment, the dentist will remove the temporary crown and clean around the area so there is no food particles that can get trapped and cause tooth decay. The dentist will also check the fit and color of the crown before bonding it to the tooth using permanent dental cement. This part of the dental crown procedure is carried out under local anesthetic.

If you need other work such as dental bridges at this stage, they will also be put into place.

You will be required to go to a follow-up appointment so the dentist can check your recovery and see if any dental crown risks and side effects have occurred in the meantime.

Risks and Side Effects of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are a great way to restore function to damaged teeth or straighten a crooked smile. In most cases, it is best to do something about the tooth that is giving you trouble rather than leave it as it is. The dental crown procedure is relatively safe and non-invasive but there are some complications you need to be aware of. Dental crown risks and side effects can become quite serious if not dealt with quickly and effectively.

Dental Crown Risks and Side Effects:

· Your teeth may be sore for a few days after both the first half of the procedure and second half of the procedure. Your gums may also be more sensitive than usual.

· One of the most common issues that can arise from dental crowns is cracking, which can lead to fractures in the dental crown.

· Your dental crown may become loose or fall out. This can sometimes happen because the cement bonding the crown to your original tooth has deteriorated. In this case, you will need to see your dentist as soon as possible so he can put it back into place. If you are unable to for a while, you might be able to use dental cement purchased over the counter as a temporary solution.

· If a small part of your dental crown chips, your dentist should be able to fix it with some resin. If you have a larger chip, you might need to get the whole crown replaced. Large chips can expose the vulnerable original tooth underneath causing you pain.

· If your crown has not been fitted or bonded properly, bacteria can grow around the edges and plaque can build up leading to tooth decay. Tooth decay under the crown is a particularly difficult dental crown risk and side effect because the crown will need to be removed to fix it.

· Over time, your dental crowns will wear away the enamel of surrounding teeth. This usually happens with porcelain or porcelain fused to metal dental crowns.

You may be unhappy with your results. Dental crowns are very personal, you see and feel them more than anyone else and you may not be satisfied with the color or shape. You may wish you had chosen a different type of dental crown.

If you look after your dental crowns, you should not have to deal with any dental crown risks and side effects. Dental crowns can last 10-25 years but they will need to be replaced at the end of this time.

Costs of Dental Crowns

The cost of dental crowns will depend on a number of factors. If you are having other dental treatments carried out at the same time, it will be more expensive than if you were just getting dental crowns. If you are looking for affordable alternatives, dental treatments abroad would be an ideal option to suit your budget.

Treatments such as dental implants and dental bridges require dental crowns and as a result, the total cost of your dental care can add up.

The type of dental crown that you choose will also determine how much you eventually end up paying. Some are much more expensive than others but you need to think about the quality and longevity of each kind. Choosing a less expensive option may actually work out to be more expensive in the long run.

The amount that the dentist charges you will vary significantly from place to place. A clinic with high overhead costs will often charge higher fees. Sometimes the reputation of a particular clinic will influence fees as well. If the dentist has a lot of experience, he can easily charge more than someone with less cosmetic dentistry experience.

A popular dental tourism is Mexico. The cost of dental crowns in Mexico is significantly lower than many treatments offered in the US and European dental clinics.

Keep in mind that a good and experienced dentist is more likely to give you the results you desire and ensure your dental crowns last a long time. In countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom where living standards are high and products are more expensive, elective dental treatment is simply not an option for many people. The cost of dental crowns in these countries ranges from $700 to $3,500 for a single crown.

The cost of dental crowns abroad ranges from $200 to $700. That is less than the minimum you would pay in a Western country. Even when you add other expenses, you still end up saving money.

The best part is about tooth tourism is that you get to have a fabulous vacation in an amazing location while undergoing treatment. You can choose from Mexico to Croatia, Cyprus to Hungary. This is a great time to get the smile you envy in others and take some time out for yourself!

Looking After Your Dental Crowns

It is very important that you look after your dental crowns. This enables them to last for a long time and to not cause future problems. There are a number of dental crown risks and side effects that may occur if you do not take care of them properly. Your dentist can further explain what you need to do after your dental crown procedure including the following:

· Practicing good dental hygiene can prolong the life of your dental crown.

· Even though the dental crown itself will not undergo tooth decay, it is possible the tooth underneath will. The crown and the area around and under it need to be cleaned as thoroughly as possibly so no food particles get trapped.

· Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly. Dental floss is able to reach tight spots that tooth brushes can’t. An alcohol free mouthwash can help keep your teeth and gums free from bacteria build up. It is also a good idea to rinse your mouth out with water after eating.

· Talk to your dentist about which toothpaste and brush are best for dental crowns. You need to make sure your teeth are clean but be aware some toothbrushes and toothpastes can be too abrasive.

· Avoid using toothpicks because they can damage your gums.

· Snacking promotes tooth decay so try not to snack as frequently, especially if you are snacking on sugary foods.

· Try to minimize excessive alcohol intake because it can undermine the strength of the dental cement used to bond your dental crown to your teeth. Once the bond is broken, your dental crown may become loose and fall out.

· Avoid exposing your dental crowns to hard or sharp objects, such as ice.

· If you clench or grind your teeth, invest in a mouth guard you can wear at night so you don’t unnecessarily wear away at the dental crown.

· If you are a smoker and want to look after your dental crown, it is vital to remember that smoking can compromise otherwise healthy teeth and gums.

· Visit your dentist regularly for a checkup so he can make sure everything is going well and there are no problems with your dental crown. Sometimes there are things that you can’t see and only a professional can help with.

· The cost of dental crowns can be very expensive so looking after your dental crowns should be a priority.