Dental Crowns

Dental Crowns

Crowns are caps made to fit over an existing tooth. Usually they are put in place to protect weak fillings or cover up broken or discoloured teeth. They are also recommended following a root canal to protect the remaining tooth whose strength is often compromised by the extensive decay and infection that may have been present.

Crowns are tailored specifically to each patient and there are several types of crowns that can be used. Your dentist will choose the best option to ensure an aesthetic and long-lasting crown.

As part of our commitment to amalgam-free dentistry, JME Dental provides high quality porcelain crowns for our patients with severely damaged teeth.

Prior to the placement of a porcelain crown, we will remove the damaged portion of your tooth and reshape the remaining area to properly receive your new crown. An adhesive is then used to securely fit your crown to your tooth.

The ceramic used for your crown can be matched to your natural tooth color. When the procedure is complete, your new porcelain crown will look and feel like a natural fixture of your teeth.

What are the different types of Dental Crowns?

Metal Based Bonded Crown
The most common restorative material for dental crowns is a mixture of porcelain and metal. When porcelain and metal are heated together, the porcelain chemically fuses to the oxides in the metal, which creates a durable bond. Porcelain fused to metal crowns are stronger than pure porcelain because they are supported by a metal structure. They also blend in well with the shape, look, and function of your natural teeth.

Ceramic
Ceramic crowns are made of porcelain. In dentistry, porcelain is used to create tooth-coloured dental materials, such as cosmetic crowns, that match the look, shape, and function of natural teeth. Cosmetic crowns are generally used to restore front teeth and blend in with your natural tooth colour. They are strong, durable, and do not chip or break easily.

Pressed
Pressed dental ceramic crowns are an excellent solution to restore frontal teeth, regaining the beauty of a natural smile. The dental ceramic crowns have no metallic support. The structure is a strong sintered porcelain nucleus, which is melted and pressed in the oven at a very high temperature. The ceramic nucleus is coated with porcelain in several layers. Artificial pressed ceramic teeth gain the translucence and color of natural ones.

Layered
Layered zirconia crowns are restorations that are layered with different ceramic powers that mimic the translucency of the natural surrounding dentition. This material is also sometimes known as multilayer zirconia or porcelain layered zirconia.

Dental Crowns FAQ

What is a Dental Crown?

Crowns are ideal way to rebuild teeth which have been broken, or have been weakened by decay or a very large filling. The crown fits right over the remaining part of the tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape and contour of a natural tooth. People sometimes refer to crowns as 'caps'.

Why would I need a Dental Crown?

Dental crowns are usually either a preventative or restorative measure. There are several reasons why your dentist might suggest a dental crown.

If a tooth is decaying a crown may be placed over it to protect it or hold it together. If you have a worn down or cracked tooth a crown may be placed over it to restore its appearance.

Dental crowns may also be placed over a tooth that is breaking apart around a large filling. They can also help keep a dental bridge in place.

Crowns are also used for purely aesthetic reasons like to cover a severely misshapen or discoloured tooth.

How long to Dental Crowns last?

Dental tooth crowns can last anywhere up to 15  years. The amount of time that your crown lasts will largely depend on your oral health routine.

If you brush twice a day and floss daily, your crown is likely to last a much longer time than if you only brush once a day or don’t floss. If you grind your teeth, make sure to invest in a night guard to help make your crowns last longer.

Are there different types of Dental Crown?

There are several different types of crowns you can choose from, at varying price points.

There are metal-based crowns which are usually a lower cost. These are made of materials like gold or metal. These types of crowns tend to last the longest and rarely break or chip.

If aesthetics are important, metal-based crowns are best used on teeth that are not visible when smiling. There are also porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns available. These can be made to match the rest of your teeth.

Ceramic and porcelain crowns are the best option if you are looking for the most natural-looking crowns. These may, however, wear down surrounding teeth a little more than other types of crowns.