All Porcelain Crowns

April 23rd, 2012 Posted in Crowns
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Older porcelain crowns often chip or wear, leaving the fused metal base exposed. The area of the crown near the gumlines often leaves an exposed metal line along the tooth as well. This can appear dark and grey, leaving the patient self conscious of how their smile appears.

There is a way to avoid metal showing when you smile. All-porcelain crowns are a type of dental restoration that does not use any metal base for its fabrication. The entire crown is made of tooth-colored material so that no matter where it is placed in the mouth, you will not have to worry about metal showing. This is beneficial for patients who grind their teeth, or need to have their bites adjusted.

All-porcelain crowns also appear more natural in color than traditional crowns. Because teeth are actually more than one shade, porcelain crowns can use two or even three shades throughout the tooth to make it a better match.

Crowns are essential in treating teeth with large, older, broken restorations or large areas of decay. When a tooth has broken down so much, then thin outer shell of enamel is not enough to support a filling. Instead, crowns cover the entire surface of the tooth allowing it to hold up to normal uses like chewing. This distributes the pressure equally over the tooth and allows it to last years to come.

Some people also find that they are sensitive to certain metals. Tissue irritation and bleeding may occur. Because all porcelain crowns contain no metal, they are a wonderful option for these patients.

If you are in need of a crown, or have metal crowns and are thinking of having them replaced, consider all porcelain crowns. They function just as efficiently as other crowns but are much more aesthetically pleasing and easier on the delicate gum tissues.

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Types of Restorations

April 11th, 2012 Posted in Crowns
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There are a range of different types of restorations for restoring damaged or decayed teeth.  These include fillings, inlays, onlays, and crowns.  Which type of restoration is best depends on  the extent of the damage, the health of the remaining tooth, and the chewing load the tooth is expected to bear.

Dental fillings are referred to as direct restorations because they are formed and placed by the dentist in the office during a single visit.  Crowns, inlays, and onlays are called indirect restorations because they are made in a dental laboratory and require at least two visits to the dentist’s office.  During the first visit the tooth will be prepared and a mold will be made and sent to the lab.  During the second visit the dentist will cement the restoration in place.

Fillings are the restoration used for the most minor damage.  The dentist removes the decay from the tooth and fills the cavity with amalgam (silver color) or composite (tooth colored) filling material.  Fillings are only effective when there is sufficient healthy tooth to support the filling.  A filling that is too large will leave the tooth weak which could cause it to break or crack.

For much more extensive damage to the tooth, the dentist removes the decay and damaged material and will also remove enough additional tooth material to allow a crown to be placed over the tooth.  A crown (also called a cap) is made in a dental laboratory and cemented in place by your dentist.  The crown completely encircles or “caps” the tooth and provides a strong restoration for a seriously damaged tooth.

Dental inlays and onlays are used to repair damage that is too much for a filling, but not enough for a crown.  Inlays and onlays are indirect restorations similar to crowns, but cover less area of the tooth.  An inlay fits in between the cusps or rounded edges of the tooth while an onlay covers one or more of the cusps or even the entire biting surface.

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Crowns and Bridges

February 23rd, 2012 Posted in Crowns
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Once a tooth has a very large filling, as the tooth and filling begin to age there is less tooth to work with for future treatments. Maintaining the structural stability in these teeth mean that covering its entire surface is the only way to help it maintain the strength to handle every day chewing. A crown does this for us.

Sometimes called a “cap”, dental crowns cover the entire surface of a tooth above the gumlines. Crowns are made of porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or gold. The material is based depending on the area to be treated and the patient’s personal preferences. Porcelain crowns are made to match the rest of the teeth in the mouth, so that they appear as natural as possible.

Crowns are also used in dental bridges when a person is missing one or two teeth. For crowns and bridges, a crown is placed on the teeth adjacent to the area of the missing tooth, and a pontic crown is fused between the two, creating the appearance of a tooth between them. These bridges function for chewing the way any other dental crowns would. The only difference is that there is an area beneath the bridge that does require an extra step in daily oral hygiene routines.

For teeth that have large fractures or decay, failing to place a crown on the tooth will ultimately result in further fractures and eventual loss of the tooth. Sometimes the nerve of the tooth can become infected if a crown is delayed, resulting in the need for a root canal. Crowns are used when a tooth is treated with root canal therapy, in order to protect the stability of the non-living tooth structure that still remains.

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How Crowns Are Made

November 26th, 2010 Posted in Crowns
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You may have been told that you need to have a tooth capped or crowned.  Generally, teeth have crowns placed on them because they have decay or deterioration.  In some cases, crowns are placed when the tooth is badly discolored.  Placing a crown on a tooth allows for teeth to be repaired.

After any necessary dental procedures have been performed, the dentist will first clean around your gum line with a piece of thick dental floss.  This will allow the gum to be pushed down and a good imprint of the tooth made.  Next, a mold of the tooth itself will be made.

During the molding process, a bit of soft, formable rubber-like substance will be placed in your mouth.  This substance has the texture of smooth putty.  You will be asked to ‘bite down’ and the mold will form around your tooth.  This allows for a complete tooth repair, and the crown is an accurate fit for your mouth.  Try not to move, sneeze, or cough (if possible) during this time. 

If you have any discomfort, let your dentist or his assistant know.  Having the mold made should not hurt, but may require you to keep your mouth open for several minutes.  Sometimes, a piece of rubber is placed in your mouth to keep saliva from dripping into the mold.

The mold will then be sent to a professional for creation of the crown.  You will return to the dentist in a few weeks to have the new crown placed.

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Crowns

October 25th, 2010 Posted in Crowns
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After certain dental procedures or trauma, your dentist may recommend that you have a dental crown placed to help keep the tooth structure intact.  This article will briefly explain what dental crowns are, and the procedure for placing a dental crown.

Dental crowns are a type of restorative dental surgery.  The crown is actually a covering that is cemented in place.  When this crown is placed, it fully covers the tooth that is seen above the gum line.  Crowns are used when fillings become too large to maintain tooth structural integrity, or after certain dental procedures and sometimes after traumatic events. 

Crowns may be made out of porcelain, metal, or a combination of both.  Most dentists will use a porcelain outer for any tooth that shows when you smile.  Careful attention will be made to your surrounding teeth color to make sure that the porcelain ‘matches’ your other teeth.  Your dentist may actually use a color chart to match the tooth color prior to ordering the crown. 

Placing a crown involves several trips to the dentist.  A mold of the tooth will be made, and a temporary crown placed.  In a few weeks, the crown will be placed and fitted.  You will be asked to gently ‘tap’ on colored paper to see if any raised areas or other issues of concern arise after placement.  A permanent crown is placed with hard cement that is not easily removed.  Depending on the cause for the crown, you may or may not need local numbing.  However, this should always be a pain free procedure, so if you do have any pain, always let your dentist know.

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