Used to fix cracked teeth, worn teeth, support dental bridges, or replace a missing tooth or teeth, dental crowns are used for restorative dental care as well as cosmetic purposes. A crown can be attached to dental implants or employed for restoration after a root canal. Crowns are an essential part of restorative dentistry.
What Do Dental Crowns Look Like?
How dental crowns look depends on the material they are created from. Some look just like your natural teeth, while others, created from metal, do not resemble your own teeth.
Dental crowns can be created from resin, porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, stainless steel, and gold. The material that you and your dentist choose as best for you will be based on a variety of factors, including the location of your tooth, just how much of your natural tooth is remaining, and how visible the crown will be when you smile. Longevity and strength needed is something else to consider when choosing the best crown material for you and determining your crown’s appearance.
Crown Materials
There are a number of different materials to choose from when making a crown.
- Traditional Porcelain Crowns
Traditional porcelain crowns are long lasting, strong, and match the color of your natural teeth. They are crafted in a dental lab by a technician, and provide a natural, attractive appearance.
- Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns
This type of crown is also made from porcelain, and it is also matched to your natural teeth for appearance. The difference is this: beneath the porcelain, an underlying metal may make a thin dark line at the crown’s base. These crowns are extremely long-lasting and are used most frequently when the strongest type of restoration is essential.
- Metal Crowns
Usually, metal crowns are crafted from gold, but other metal material used for crowns includes durable, natural looking zirconia, which is also very strong, and most often used with back teeth.
- Stainless Steel Crowns
Stainless steel crowns were once a common material choice, but today, they are not frequently used. They’re more noticeable and much less durable than other crown types, although some pediatric dental offices will use them as crown material for baby teeth.
- All-Resin Crowns
Resin crowns are made from composite material that’s similar to your actual tooth color, just like porcelain crowns. However, they are not nearly as long-lasting. However, resin crowns are considered the least expensive option as crown material.
Are You Ready to Learn More About Dental Crowns?
Whether you’re looking for a crown that closely resembles your natural teeth, or the most durable type of crown, Carmel Dental Associates is here to help you find the best solution for you. We are highly experienced in both cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including the use of crowns.
So, if you’re ready to schedule a visit or learn more about crowns, just give us a call. We’re ready to make sure your smile is healthy and looks great.