Dental crowns can prevent the loss of natural teeth
Dental crowns are primarily used in restorative dentistry; they are essentially hollow shells that are cemented over damaged or weakened teeth. They cover the entire visible portion of the teeth, restoring form and function, as well as providing protection from further damage.
Crowns are also cemented to the abutment of a dental implant to replace one or more missing teeth. After the bone has healed around an implant, an abutment is fitted to the implant and a special crown is attached to the abutment. Additionally, crowns are used to cover the anchor teeth for dental bridges.
In cosmetic dentistry, crowns can be used to cover misshapen teeth, or discolored ones that do not respond to teeth whitening. However, their use for purely cosmetic reasons has diminished due to the increasing popularity of porcelain veneers. The dental crowns San Francisco dentist, Dr. Leo Arellano, places are both restorative and aesthetically beautiful.
Crowns are crafted from a variety of materials to meet the needs and preferences of patients:
- Gold – This material creates a restoration that is has the strength and durability to withstand the bite pressure the molars are subjected to when chewing. These crowns can be made thin and yet maintain their strength compared to than the other material options, therefore requiring less natural tooth structure to be removed for placement. The disadvantage of gold crowns is the lack of aesthetics; therefore, they are usually placed on back teeth.
- porcelain over metal – These crowns are strong, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. They can be used on either front or back teeth. The drawback to this option is that the metal base can show through the porcelain at the base, creating a dark line.
- all porcelain – Crowns made of porcelain are aesthetically pleasing, accurately mimicking the look of natural teeth. The porcelain reflects and refracts light, just as tooth enamel does, making them a perfect choice for front teeth. The drawback to all porcelain is that it is not as durable or strong as gold, and they may cause wear on the opposing teeth.
