Hello, I'm Dr. Perry from Farmington Family Dental. Today, I'm here to answer questions about dental crowns and answer any questions that are commonly asked to give you a better understanding of what a dental crown is.
What are dental crowns?
A dental crown is a solid piece of material that we put over top of a tooth, usually because the tooth is having some structural or cavity issues. That material can be made from anything from porcelain to metal to a combination of both, and it can be anything in color from white to a gold or a silver in color.
What different materials are used in dental crowns and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
Okay, so there are different materials that we use in our dental crowns, and they have different advantages and disadvantages. Let me go through each different type of the three most common types that we use. The most common type of crown we use in my office is zirconia. Zirconia is a metal ceramic crown. Now, when you hear metal, you might be thinking tough, strong, durable, and you'd be right. These are among the strongest crown materials that we have in dentistry. I say among; I really should have said the strongest, period, bar none. They're actually advertised by banging the thing into a 2x4 with a sledgehammer, and they don't break. The last, um, the disadvantages on doing that type of a material when it's in the aesthetic zone, like it's on one of these front teeth, stronger isn't necessarily better. It, on the overall appearance, I'd give them like an eight out of 10. They can look nice, but if it's like on one of these front ones on the top and it's a lone standing where it's natural teeth next to the crown, it's hard to make the two match. They have a different look, but I can tell you in the world, when you see somebody who has a set of veneers done, half of the time they're that material, they're the zirconia, and they look very good when everything is matched together. That actually is one of the best looks people like; people tend to prefer that when you can get it all to match that way by doing it all at once.
Okay, so that's zirconia crowns, most common by far. Second most common is a material called lithium disilicate. Lithium disilicate is a glass ceramic. Now, when you think glass, you're probably thinking, well, glass is kind of fragile. It is more fragile than a zirconia; it is stronger than some other types of ceramics that we have, some other types of glass ceramics that we have been using now for 100 years or so, 50 years like a really long time as far as dentistry is concerned. So, good long, uh, track record on them, and they're a moderate strength option. As far as aesthetics, I'd give them about an eight or a nine, probably a nine out of 10 as far as the look. They can be made to look more like natural teeth than anything else that we have. That's a lithium disilicate type crown. Some of the limitations or drawbacks on it include that it's not as strong. We need to reduce or remove more of the tooth structure so we can make the crown thicker than we can with a zirconia type crown or an all-metal type crown. So as far as a tooth goes, if we didn't have to take away that much material anyways, we might not want to choose that material. This type of material, lithium disilicate, probably accounts for about 2 to 5% of the crowns I do in my office, mostly in the front.
The last type of crown material that I talk about is what's called a PFM or porcelain fused to metal. That's where we have a metal substructure underneath the crown, and we put porcelain on over the top of it. When we're doing a crown that touches multiple teeth, that's called a bridge, by the way. Sometimes we'll use a metal substructure to give it more strength so that we don't deal with breakage issues on it; that can be a big deal. On something like that, on a bridge, that works better when it's a longer span. The porcelain fused metal material works better, it's stronger, it's more resilient. As a drawback on it, one of the things I routinely see on porcelain fused metal, especially after it's been 10, 15, 20 years after it's been seated, is right up at the top of the tooth where the crown meets the tooth, you'll see a spot there like at that line. You'll see like a dark shadowing, dark shading. Some people describe it as a silver or a black color because it appears that dark when you smile. That has various reasons that happens, but that tends to be one of the ways that porcelain fused metal gets replaced, not because they're failing, but if it's on the front teeth, it can be an aesthetic failure over like 15, 20 years. It takes a while for that to happen, but it can happen.
Can you explain the dental crown procedure?
People will ask sometimes about the dental crown procedure, what that looks like. In my office, we do most of the crowns that we do same day. So that means that when you come in, we'll get you numb, we'll get the tooth shaped and scanned, and make the crown in our office. At the end of the appointment, we're trying it on. As long as the fit is great, we like the look, we cement it that day. Typically, the time period on that takes about 15 to 30 minutes to shape the tooth for the crown, and then about 15 minutes at the end to fit it on, with about 45 minutes or so in between where we're designing and making that crown to fit. Overall, the whole appointment length we schedule typically for about 2 hours to do the procedure, and it usually takes between an hour and a half and an hour and 45 minutes to have it done.
Does the digital crown placement hurt?
Oh gosh, one of the most common questions is, is this gonna hurt? Great question. So, no, dentistry has not hurt like that since your mother was born is the short answer to that question. But our anesthetics is so good, we are so gentle in doing things, especially when we take care of things at an earlier stage rather than when they're a big problem. Doing a dental crown, no, I routinely see it as a very comfortable appointment.
Are there any consequences for getting a tooth crown?
What are the consequences of having a crown on a tooth? Any dental work that we have on a tooth is going to have a point where we need to do service on it, replace it, repair it in the future. The average lifespan of a crown that I see from the literature we do as dentists, and this is objective literature, it's not something I see in my practice, but this is objective, is anywhere from 15 to 20 years lifespan out of a dental crown. Now, that varies quite wildly, by the way, based on how well you take care of it and whether you're coming in for your routine checkups to see how things are going. When they're maintained well, they can last much longer than that, and when they're lasting longer than that, the consequences of having it on, really, I can't think of very many. In most cases, the consequences are you're able to keep a tooth, and that's great.
Is it worth putting children's teeth in crowns?
Okay, so sometimes dental crowns for children's teeth are worth it. Typically, when it's a baby tooth and it's had quite a bit of damage to it, it would need a larger filling, larger than about three surfaces or three sides of the tooth are included. Typically, what I'll see is it's better to do a stainless steel or a prefabricated crown in that case. A stainless steel crown I haven't talked much about yet is made out of stainless steel. It's a stamped crown, it's prefabricated, it's not custom-made, it is a temporary type crown, and those work fairly well for baby teeth because the lifespan we need out of something like that is maybe six or eight years. In those cases, those can work very well. There are other types of crowns sometimes you'll see on baby teeth. On the front, we'll do what's called a strip crown where we essentially form and shape some composite and bond it on over the top, and that works very well too. Those types of techniques are typically used in kids because they're quick, they're inexpensive, and they look pretty decent. Kids don't really care; actually, most of them actually love having a silver crown. They'll tell me, yeah, I got a robot tooth back here. Boys love that. All that said, in an adult, that's not ideal. That's not how we do a crown in an adult. That's reserved for baby teeth that fall out.
Do crowns look like normal teeth?
So how good can this look on your crown? Does it look like a normal tooth? Absolutely can, by the way, and at their best, when we choose the highest aesthetic option for a crown, we can make it look better than a normal tooth. Some people, the way they're born, their teeth are not shaped right, they're too small, they're too big, they have discoloration from braces and things like that, and it can certainly be made to even look better than a normal tooth. In most cases, yeah, a crown looks like a normal tooth. In a lot of cases, you can't even tell when the person's smiling or talking to you that it is a fake tooth. They just blend fairly well nowadays.
Can you get cavities on crowned teeth?
Okay, so are there any cavity problems with a crown tooth? Absolutely can happen, and that's one of the reasons why it's very important for you to come in and have your work checked and checked every six months to see if there is something wrong with this, is there something that needs to be done, is there something that needs to change about home care or maintenance to get the best lifespan we can out of it. Cavities happen on a crowned tooth at the border where the crown meets the tooth. The crown itself isn't going to decay; you're never going to see a cavity on that. But that border is the most susceptible point on a crowned tooth for decay to set in again, and it's important that border be maintained well.
How should I take care of my dental crown?
Gosh, okay, maintenance and care on a dental crown, how does that compare versus a natural tooth? So a dental crown, you just take care of it like a normal tooth. Make sure you're brushing it, make sure you're flossing, use mouth rinses, doing those things and following the instructions your hygienist gives will give you the best lifespan out of that. The care is like a normal tooth in most cases.
How long can you expect a dental crown to last?
Lifespan of dental crown, according to the literature that's out there, you can expect a dental crown to last anywhere from 15 to 20 years according to this research that we've done as dentists. I have routinely seen much longer than that, and I have seen some shorter than that, but that is the average. About 15 to 20 years is predictable.
Does insurance cover dental crowns?
Oh, insurance. So does insurance cover this procedure, doing a dental crown? In a lot of cases, yeah, it does. For your specific insurance, come on in. I can give you the estimate as far as what your insurance does or does not do, and we'll get you squared away.
How can I schedule an appointment for a dental crown?
In our office, you can schedule an appointment to have a dental crown done by just giving the office a call. When you give us a call, we'll get you scheduled in for it. Our number is (573) 637-4404.
I hope we've been able to answer some of your questions on dental crowns, but if you have additional questions or if you're ready to take action, please give us a call at (573) 637-4404.
At Farmington Family Dental, we are committed to providing comprehensive and personalized dental care to enhance the health and aesthetics of your smile. Our Dental crown services are designed to restore and strengthen damaged or compromised teeth, ensuring lasting functionality and a beautiful, natural-looking appearance.
Why Choose Dental Crowns in Farmington?
Experienced and Caring Team: Our dentists at Farmington Family Dental bring years of experience and expertise to the table. With a commitment to patient care, our team is dedicated to delivering top-notch dental services, including expertly crafted dental crowns.
Customized Treatment Plans: We understand that each patient’s dental needs are unique. Our approach involves thorough assessments to create personalized treatment plans tailored to address your specific concerns. Whether it’s a cracked tooth, extensive decay, or cosmetic improvements, our dental crowns are customized to meet your individual requirements.
High-Quality Materials: We use the latest advancements in dental materials, including porcelain, ceramic, and zirconia, to craft durable and aesthetically pleasing dental crowns. These materials mimic the natural appearance of teeth, providing both strength and a seamless blend with your existing dentition.
Comprehensive Consultations: Before proceeding with dental crown placement, our team conducts comprehensive consultations. This allows us to understand your dental history, assess the condition of the affected tooth, and discuss the most suitable options for your unique case.
Minimally Invasive Procedures: Our approach to dental crown placement is minimally invasive, ensuring that we preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. This approach helps maintain the integrity of your smile while effectively addressing functional and cosmetic concerns.
Rediscover Your Smile with Dental Crowns in Farmington
Whether you need to restore a damaged tooth, improve the appearance of a misshapen tooth, or strengthen a tooth after a root canal, Farmington Family Dental is here to help. Dental crowns are a versatile and effective solution for a variety of dental issues, and we take pride in offering this service to our valued patients.
Contact Farmington Family Dental today to schedule a consultation and explore how dental crowns in Farmington can benefit your oral health.
Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional dental care in Farmington, ensuring that your smile receives the attention it deserves. Your journey to a healthier, more radiant smile begins with us.