Dental crowns are an excellent solution for both restorative dental care and cosmetic purposes. Crowns are used to fix cracked or worn teeth and support dental bridges, as well as to replace a missing tooth or teeth. And, they can also be attached to dental implants or utilized for restoration after a dental root canal. Overall, dental crowns are a big part of restorative dentistry.
How are Dental Crowns Made?
There are a variety of materials available for crown construction, including:
Porcelain Crowns
Our dental team uses durable, attractive porcelain crowns crafted to match the color of your natural teeth. They are made in a dental lab by a technician, and offer a natural, attractive appearance. Dental crowns are used as a solution for damaged teeth, but our crowns are so beautifully realistic, they can be used to reshape, realign, or whiten a tooth to enhance the look of your smile.
Other types of crown materials include:
Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns
Also made from porcelain, matched to your natural teeth for appearance, beneath the porcelain, there is underlying metal that makes these types of crowns extremely long-lasting; however, these crown types are no longer often used.
Gold Alloy Crowns
Most often used with back teeth, durable gold crowns may be used for increased strength, such as for patients who grind their teeth at night. Due to the increased cost of gold, this type of crown is also no longer frequently used.
Zirconia Crowns
A newer material used for dental restorative treatments, it’s a type of ceramic, or more specifically, a zirconium oxide stronger than porcelain and some metal alloys. It gets fewer sharp edges from the normal wear and tear that can happen over time. Zirconia crowns also tend to cause less stress and potential damage on teeth or other dental fillings opposite them than porcelain.
So How Long Does It Take to Get a Crown
The strong and attractive porcelain crowns we use at MD Smiles take two visits. First, your tooth will be prepped, with any decayed areas removed. We will numb the area with a local anesthetic to make the process comfortable for you and pain-free.
We may either build up or reduce the tooth to successfully place the crown. Next, we’ll take a digital scan of your tooth or teeth which we send via the internet to the lab. We’ll refer to a color chart to choose the color of the crown that best matches your own natural teeth.
A temporary crown will be placed while your final restoration is being created. Then, about two weeks later, when your new crown is ready, we’ll remove the temporary crown and adjust the new crown so it fits perfectly, and then cement it securely in place.
With proper care – regular at-home dental hygiene like brushing and flossing, and regularly scheduled visits to your dentist for a check-up and cleaning – they are as long lasting as they are attractive.
Are You Ready to Learn More About Dental Crowns?
If you need a crown, at MD Smiles, we’re here to help. We’re experts in both cosmetic and restorative dentistry techniques, including attractive porcelain crowns. Our crowns are always fabricated in the U.S., and never outsourced to a lab located abroad. In fact, we have strict requirements to ensure that no outsourcing occurs due to the possibility of a poor quality product.
So, when you’re looking for lasting, quality dental crowns and you’re ready to schedule a visit or simply learn more about crowns, give us a call. We’re here to make sure your smile looks great and stays healthy.