Thankfully within our modern-day, we have the ability to maintain our smiles throughout all the potential harmful possibilities. Dental restoration procedures are the treatments performed by the dentist to restore the form and the structure of the tooth; damage that possibly is the result of tooth decay or the event of external damage to the tooth itself.
What Is A Dental Crown?
A type of dental restoration procedure for the purpose of restoring the integrity and function of one’s’ Teeth. A dental crown or preferably the dental-tooth-cap completely surrounds encasing the damaged, worn tooth; even potentially a dental implant.
The dental crowns have been produced from a few different materials including:
- Gold dental crowns, although quite common many years ago because of the successful administration, however because of the lack of appeal, gold crowns are more of an option for the upper back teeth as they are out of view.
- Stainless Steel dental crowns, these crowns are ideal for children when the primary teeth, otherwise known as the baby teeth become decayed to the circumstances of having concern for the nerve, or to the point of the dental-filling not maintaining the holding position within the tooth structure.
- Porcelain dental crowns also called the all-ceramic dental crowns are considered the more popular and appealing versions of the dental crowns. These crowns resemble the tooth structure hiding the appearance of the crown itself.
Considering the Options – Dental Crown Materials
Gold and Metal Alloys
Dental crowns made from gold and the other metal alloys have been deemed more compatible with one’s original natural teeth. These materials are believed to cause less damage to the surrounding teeth. These metal alloys are believed to be the most durable.
Porcelain Fused Metal Crowns (PFM)
A popular choice of dental crowns as they provide the natural look for the restoration procedure. However, a mild flaw is that the metal underneath the porcelain-cap can go forth creating a darkened appearance at the gum line. White paint may potentially be added as a preventative measure.
All-Ceramic, Porcelain, and Zirconia Materials
These dental crowns are designed with a finish that has been built up with multiple layers. This finishing method somewhat creates a frosted appearance that is similar to one’s own real teeth. These dental crowns can be matched in the shade to the surrounding teeth, making them highly recommended for the front teeth or potentially any visible tooth restoration need.
Dental Crowns Are Recommended For:
- Replacing Failed Existing Dental Crowns on the Teeth\Tooth
- Restore the Shape and Function of the Teeth
- Improve the Appearance of the Teeth
- Maintain the Structural Stability of the Teeth
- Reduce Fractures of Extensively Worn and Damaged Teeth
Dentists have recommended a dental crown for many reasons, this can include the larger dental caries; the damage done to a tooth that is caused by decay-causing bacteria that reside within all of our mouths.
For additional clarity on this relevant subject, these bacteria are able to produce acids that go forward attacking the surface of our teeth, the enamel; creating little holes.
If left untreated this can create pain, infection, and even the loss of the tooth, itself.
A dentist may have recommended the dental crown procedure because there is the additional risk for fracture for this damaged tooth; larger dental caries and structural damage from the tooth decay may require a filling restoring the tooth that is risking additional tooth fracture.
The reasons for a dental visit is obviously up in the numbers, however for the larger dental restorations, the dentist all appear to agree the recommendation for a dental crown is appropriate. The question is regarding how large of dental restoration must this be?
The Dental Crown Restoration Procedure
The first question one should ask is, can my Tooth\Teeth be rescued? As this restoration procedure has been said to be considered aggressive.
The dental crown procedure requires the cutting or preferably the removal of almost all the enamel of the said tooth. Leaving the tooth more susceptible to potential fracture, therefore breaking.
There is the potential for increased sensitivity of the tooth; to the hot and cold intakes. As the protective enamel has been removed. This influences the internal nerve and the position thereof. Taking it closer to the outer tooth structure; causing future potential possibilities of a Root Canal.
With Dental Crown Procedures, there is the aggressive removal of the structural enamel, therefore the integrity of the tooth has been compromised.
The enamel is purposely cut away from the damaged tooth preparing the area for the plastic temporary replacement that is in need of a secure holding site while the actual dental crown replacement is made within the laboratory.
So in essence, this dental crown aggressive procedure of the removal of the enamel is purposely done for the convenience of the temporary replacement.
However, with our more modern technology, there are dental clinics that have the option of having the crown produced within the initial visit; while you wait in the office. Saving time and the additional damage to the tooth that is in need of the procedure.
What Are The Dental Veneers?
The porcelain veneers are a minimally invasive restoration procedure used to improve the overall color and the shape of one’s teeth. The veneers recently have become more popular; this is due to technological advances made within porcelain materials and the bonding applications, or preferably the cementing techniques.
The veneer itself is a thin shell piece of porcelain. The strength of the veneer is considered poor, however, once they become bonded to the enamel of the tooth the resin increases the strength of the veneer.
- Masking the appearance of stained teeth
- Correction of the misalignment of Teeth
- The tooth size and shape discrepancies
The principal goal of veneers is to better promote the aesthetics or the beauty of the smile; not to restore the functions of the teeth.
It has been mentioned that it is important to not place the veneer within the areas with the considered higher contact between the teeth.
Longer-term follow-up examinations of the veneers have come to show that they are having some extensive survival rates. Making them recommended as the option for the minimally invasive treatments.