What Is a Tooth Crown?What Is a Tooth Crown?
A tooth crown is a dental restoration that replaces part or all of the original tooth. It can be used to cover up and repair a damaged or decayed tooth, restore a tooth that is cracked or chipped, fill in a gap or to support a dental bridge or implant.
A crown can be made from a variety of materials, depending on a number of factors. Cost, durability, and aesthetics are all important considerations for patients when choosing a tooth crown material. In some cases, certain materials may also be better suited for particular clinical scenarios.
Everything You Need to Know About Tooth Crowns: Types, Costs, and Care
At your first appointment, the dentist or prosthodontist will numb the tooth and gum around it before preparing the tooth for a crown. They will file down the chewing surface and sides of the tooth to create room for it, and make a copy of the shape (often using an impression pressed into a mould or digitally). This is then sent off to a dental laboratory where a custom crown is fabricated. A temporary crown may be placed over the prepared tooth until the permanent one is ready.
NY Laser Dentist are the most durable of the dental restoration types, able to withstand biting and chewing forces well. However, some patients are prone to developing allergic reactions to certain metals. Alternatives to metal crowns include porcelain-fused-to-metal (commonly referred to as PFM or VMK crowns), and Zirconia core-only crowns. These have a ceramic crown bonded to a metal base and are less likely to react with teeth, but they are not as strong or lifelike.