A dental crown can be one of the most useful solutions for restoring a broken or decayed tooth, transforming a smile in the process. An experienced cosmetic dentist can carry out this procedure using a variety of materials, most commonly porcelain or a composite mix of different elements.
There are many reasons why a dental crown might be a useful treatment. Typically, they are used to restore both the function and the appearance of a broken or decayed tooth, but they can also be added after a root canal procedure or as a replacement for older fillings that covered an extensive area.
They play an important role because they are the very last restorative treatment that can be used to preserve an existing tooth. To fit your crown, your dentist will first take an impression of the affected tooth to ensure the crown will be created precisely.
Crowns work by covering the damaged tooth entirely, from the gum line up. This allows them to strengthen the weaker parts of the tooth that may be prone to further decay or breakdown, and it provides some necessary structural integrity so you can continue chewing, biting and talking as normal.
With the right use of materials, your crown can also provide a realistic restoration to your smile. Most patients will have two choices: porcelain or composite.
Porcelain crowns are often recommended as they look more natural, and your dentist can colour match the new crown with the rest of your surrounding teeth to ensure a more realistic result. In addition to this, porcelain crowns are more durable and tend to last for much longer with the right care. They are also more resistant to staining, so your crown stays looking like new for longer.
On the other hand, composite materials can also be relatively durable. They appear more natural than many other crown materials, such as gold or metals, and the use of composite materials means you can avoid that visible line of silver metal that can be seen with other types of crowns.
To find out which dental crown material is best for your needs, talk to your cosmetic dentist about your options.
