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Types of Tooth Crowns

Most dentists will agree that the tooth crown is at the heart of general dentistry. They've all studied dental crowns in dental school, and some have done their best work replacing a missing tooth and saving the rest.

Research has given them the wherewithal to achieve virtually ideal restorations. They are natural looking, comfortable and stable in the moist environment of the mouth. Cosmetic dentistry professionals are better equipped now more than ever to build strong, long-lasting and cosmetically superior dental crowns.

What is a dental crown?

A crown (or cap) is a restoration placed over broken teeth or a cracked tooth that cannot sustain a conventional filling. By covering the biting surfaces and sides of the tooth, a dental crown strengthens the damaged tooth by binding together the remaining structures. There are basically three kinds of full-crown restorations that can be placed by your cosmetic dentist, each with pros and cons, depending on your situation.

A gold crown or metal alloy crowns have the longest track record for durability, but some people object to the look of metal.

A full porcelain crown - and its new ceramic cousin - looks wonderful and fits well; however, porcelain crowns are usually best on front teeth where stress is not so great.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns are our loyal work-horses for single-tooth restoration - they're very strong.

There are elements of finesse in the creation of any crown. The fit is the thing. The teeth must be prepared with opposing teeth in mind so a good bite won't go bad after the crown is placed. The fit must accommodate adjacent teeth, too. And the "margin," the part of the crown nearest the gum, must fit smoothly to protect the health of gum tissue.

And all this effort is to one end: to save a tooth.

When is a dental crown called for?

• A tooth that has been filled more than once cracks, breaks off, or falls victim to secondary caries - a cavity under or around a filling.
• You've had root canal treatment on a molar, and it's prone to brittleness.
• A tooth has suffered severe enamel wear.
• The high school hockey star takes a blow in the mouth, and an otherwise sound tooth is broken.
• You need an anchor for your new dental bridge.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Tooth Restoration Options

Have you ever smiled in the mirror and wondered what if?

What if your teeth were less prominent, or just a bit more even, or maybe that missing tooth was back in place?

Below you'll find the "What's In A Smile" quiz. It helps you play "What if" and then focus on what the mirror tells you.

Cosmetic dentistry isn't "just for movie stars" or "just for women." Typically it's very conservative treatment that returns huge dividends in personal self-confidence.

Today there are new tooth restoration materials and cosmetic dental care techniques that can put a beautiful smile within everyone's reach. For example, porcelain onlays and inlays can return structural integrity to damaged teeth, while leaving them looking as natural as the ones you were born with.

For teeth that are intact but seem to lack youthful sparkle, there are a variety of procedures that are simple, safe, and effective. You may want to inquire about teeth bleaching treatments, dental implants, or dental veneers that enhance your tooth enamel. Even a hygiene appointment can return light and color to your smile.

Many patients, whose appearance and self-esteem have been boosted enormously, have received only the simplest of cosmetic dentistry enhancements. Their only regret was that they'd waited so long to have them done.

Your cosmetic dentist will be happy to answer your questions. Please call to schedule a consultation.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.