Dental crowns are the most popular types of restorative dental treatments. With them, people have been able to smile once again after suffering from either trauma to the teeth or deep cavities. However, when dentists suggest dental crowns, patients have lots of questions, such as:
- How much are they going to cost?
- What type of dental crown is the best for me?
- How much are they going to last?
To answer these and more questions we have written this comprehensive guide that covers all the basics from dental crowns and describes the different types of dental crowns.
What is a dental crown?
In few words, dental crowns are caps that cover a tooth that has lost either its functionality or natural looks. Dental crowns are the most popular types of restorative treatments,
How to know if I need a dental crown?
Before looking for different dental crown options, you need to make sure that you actually need this treatment. So, how do you get to know for sure?
Usually, after a routine or the first appointment with a dentist, he/she will point out that there is a problem with a tooth of yours. Your dentist will evaluate your condition and let you know the options that you have; some of the most common causes that will make your dentist advise a dental crown include the following:
- A tooth with a large filling that does no longer look natural: If a tooth has become black, and does no longer look natural, your dentist will recommend a dental crown to restore a natural appearance.
- A root canal treatment (which will need a restorative crown): Root canals are the last line of treatments to save a tooth, but to restore its full functionality and looks a dental crown is needed.
- To cover an implant: If you lost a tooth due to any reason, you can get an implant and a dental crown to restore its former function.
The five types of dental crowns
There are lots of materials for dental crowns, the best one depends on each patient’s case, some of the available dental crown types are the following:
Metal crowns
Metal crowns include silver, gold, and steel crowns. These are durable materials, but people tend to avoid them due to their non-discrete looks.
All-porcelain crowns
All-porcelain crowns are the most popular type of crowns used today, they are fully made of porcelain, so they can look like natural teeth.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns (PFM)
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns cover the advantages of both types of crowns. PFM crowns are stronger than the all-porcelain ones while they also maintain a natural look for patients.
Zirconia Crowns
Zirconium is a new material in the dentistry industry. It is a blend that combines the strength of metal with the aesthetics of porcelain crowns.
E-max crowns
E-max crowns are the newest type of crowns on the market today. They have the most natural look of all of the former materials but tend to be more expensive too.
Where to find a dental office to get crowns in the Phoenix Metro area?
If you need a new crown then you can come to Somos Dental. At Somos Dental we can also let you know if you need a dental crown for free with our first free diagnostic appointment. You just need to call us or fill our online form here, you can also find us at any of our six locations at Downtown Phoenix, Mesa, Camelback, Desert Sky Mall, Avondale, and Laveen. Smile with confidence once again, give us a call!
