Not all teeth are similar – some remain strong no matter the number of times or the duration you gnash them. Others will fall off or get substantially damaged, especially if they get brittle after a large filling.

Tooth crowns are dental prostheses made in the shape of the original tooth and are used to “cap” or “crown” a damaged tooth. Crowns can be used on a damaged or decayed tooth or as a tooth crown for a root implant. They act as a helmet for the tooth by providing an outer new surface.

Before you get a dental crown, you might need to consider some of its pros and cons, but first, let’s look at the different types of crown options available in cosmetic dentistry.

Types of Dental Crowns

Crowns are of different types. They are classified according to the kind of material used. They include:

All-Resin

All-resin crowns are cheaper than other forms of tooth crowns. They are also less durable and are more prone to cap chipping and fractures than other crown types.

All-Ceramic/ Porcelain

Ceramic/porcelain tooth crowns are best suitable when placed on the front teeth due to their natural-looking aesthetics. They are long-lasting and require minimal maintenance compared to resin types.

Some of its advantages include:

• It matches the color of the natural teeth
• Suitable for people allergic to various types of metal
• Best for the front teeth
• Required minimal maintenance

Porcelain-Fused with Metal (PFM)

The fusion of porcelain with metal creates a strong material that rarely wears down, even with little maintenance. Their strength is only a step behind metallic crowns.

It’s only significant drawback is that when using a PFM dental crown, the tooth opposite in the other jaw wears down quickly than with the other two. Due to their strength, they are suited both for the front and back teeth. They also have great aesthetics and look just like regular teeth.

Stainless Steel

Steel tooth crowns are mainly used for temporary measures during other treatments. They are made before the treatment then stored. They are used to cover a damaged tooth while a more permanent solution is being prepared. Stainless steel crowns are used mainly on children.

Other Metals

Metallic crowns are easier to use by a dentist and have long-lasting results. Their biggest drawback is that they lack color-preserving properties. They are also made using costlier metals like gold and palladium. Base metal alloys like chromium and nickel are also used at times.

When using metal crowns, the wearing of the opposite tooth is usually at minimum. They are the most durable option and rarely fracture or break.

The Advantage of Dental Crowns

The Quad Dental dentist can use dental crowns to fix many dental issues you may have. These, while being the functions of crowns, are also an advantage of this cosmetic treatment.

They have the following merits:

• Reinforce a tooth that has been damaged by dental decay
• Protects a tooth that has been damaged from undergoing further damage
• Protects a tooth after a root canal therapy
• Holds a severely broken or cracked tooth together
• They are used to cover a tooth root implant
• Improves the appearance of a tooth by covering a deformed crown.

Dental crowns are a worthwhile option as they are durable and last between 5 -15 years. This helps to increase patient satisfaction with the treatment.

Crown treatment has a higher success rate compared to other dental restoration methods. This is supported by various research studies on their use.

Disadvantages of Tooth Crowns

There are also some disadvantages associated with dental crowns, such as:

• There is the need to file the tooth to shape before fitting the crown. This is an extensive process that is also irreversible.
• Due to the tooth’s filing, there is a possibility of the tooth’s sensitivity to hot and cold. To reduce this, there is toothpaste specialized for sensitivity purposes you should use while brushing.
• Some people may also experience tooth sensitivity while biting down on hard food. This happens when the new tooth crown has been placed too high, thus obstructs the tooth in the opposite jaw. It can be treated by adjusting the crown height.
• Crowns, especially the porcelain types, can become chipped, which will require repair or replacement.