Crowns

      

 

What are crowns and why are they used?

 

A crown is a restoration that covers, or caps, a tooth to restore its normal shape and size. Its purpose is to strengthen or improve the appearance of a tooth. A crown is placed for a number of reasons:

 

• to support a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining
• to attach a bridge
• to protect weak teeth from fracturing
• to restore fractured teeth
• to cover badly shaped or discolored teeth
• to cover a dental implant

 

Which material is best?

 

Both the “look” and function of your crowns are considered when choosing the material most suitable for you. Your dentist will consider the tooth location, the position of the gum tissue, the amount of tooth that shows when you smile, the color or shade of the tooth and the function of the tooth.

 

Crowns are made from a number of materials. Gold alloys or precious alloys, porcelain or ceramic, acrylic or composite resin or combinations of these materials may be used. Porcelain attached to a durable metal shell is commonly used because of its strength. Crowns made entirely of porcelain may look better; however, they usually are not as strong. In the process of making the crown, the porcelain is colored to blend in with your natural teeth.