Dental Crowns: Types of Caps, Uses, Lifespan, and Cost

A dental crown also called a “tooth cap”, is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over that damaged portion of the tooth to restore it to its original shape and appearance. A crown is also fitted onto the dental implant in order to replace a missing or broken tooth.

 

A crown gives your decayed tooth a new lease of life and protects it from further damage. In addition, to return structure, strength, and function to the tooth, a crown will preserve the jaw's proper alignment.

 

A crown is routinely used to:

 

- Repair a fractured tooth

- Repair a tooth that has a very large cavity

- Restore and strengthen a damaged tooth

- Replace a large, worn filling

- Improve a tooth's aesthetics

- Cover a dental implant

 

Types of Crowns

 

Crowns are usually made from several different materials, with precious metal alloy which is said to be gold tooth cap, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns (a combination of dental ceramic and metal alloy), and all-ceramic crowns being the most common types. Other materials include metal alloys and acrylic.

 

Porcelain crowns can be matched to the color of your natural teeth and are often used for the front tooth crown but may be used for the back teeth. Some porcelain crowns are bonded to a metal shell which gives strength and support to the porcelain. Porcelain crowns are also extremely durable and long-lasting.

 

The crowns made entirely out of gold or any other precious, semi-precious, or non-precious alloy are very strong and so workable that they can withstand even the heaviest biting and chewing forces well.

 

The metal alloys, some of which are Silver tooth cap, rather than yellow like gold, are generally stronger than porcelain and have greater potential for lasting the longest. They are not usually placed on teeth that are visible when a person smiles, instead are recommended for molar teeth.

 

How is a Crown Made?

 

Before a crown can be fabricated in a dental laboratory, the tooth (or teeth) must be reduced in size so that it holds the crown in place. Once the tooth is prepared, your dentist will use a paste or putty to make an impression and provide an exact mold for the final crown. Using this impression, a ceramist at the lab will use gold, metal, or ceramic material to make a crown in the proper dimensions and colors for that specific patient.

 

How Long do Crowns Last?

 

While crowns can last a lifetime, sometimes the cement washes out from under the crowns due to which they come loose or fall out. The life span of a crown depends on how well you look after it. It is extremely vital to practice good oral hygiene and keep your crowns just as clean as you do with your natural teeth in order to ensure the longevity of your crowns.

 

How much does a crown cost?

 

The dental crown cost differs from each other depending on the metal. Full metal crowns are normally made of jewelry-grade gold which needs less tooth structure to be detached than other types of dental caps and this minimizes the wear on the other teeth. They are hence seen as the best crowns despite their conspicuous metallic color. As a result, a number of people still use them for teeth that are not seen easily. This tooth crown cost crown will cost from $750 to $1400.