Dental Crowns
Escondido, CA
 Crowns are used when a tooth has been damaged to the degree that it needs extensive structural support. A crown fits over the tooth like a cap, to give it the shape and strength of a normal tooth. The actual tooth is filed down to a nub, in order to fix the crown on top of it. This is only done when the tooth cannot be saved otherwise, i.e. through a filling or a root canal.
Robert J. Malone DDS offers crowns for those looking to restore their smile, and return to a happy and healthy mouth
Types of Crowns
Porcelain crowns are a popular type of crown that gives a very natural look, and blends in well with the rest of the oral cavity. Not only can they be made to match the same color of the rest of your teeth, but porcelain has the same gleam as natural teeth, which other crowns don’t.
Similar to porcelain crowns are porcelain fused-to-metal crowns, or PFM for short. They provide a cheaper, and stronger alternative to porcelain, due to the metal. The metal, however, appears as a black strip on the gumline, and so loses some of its aesthetic quality.
Gold and metal crowns have been used for decades, due to their durability and strength, meaning they last the longest compared to any other crown. They’re very effective when used on back teeth, where strength is needed for chewing, and the conspicuous colors are less noticeable. While some people believe gold, teeth don’t suit the front of the mouth, some patients like the cosmetic appearance, and opt for them as a front tooth.
All-resin crowns and all-ceramic crowns are relatively new to the dentistry world, as crowns become more and more indistinguishable. They claim to be the most inconspicuous crown available and can replicate a tooth almost identically. Their downside comes from their higher price and strength, which is weaker in comparison to a metal crown.
What Happens When a Crown is Placed?
Using local anesthesia, to numb the area around the affected tooth, our team will remove all the decayed parts of the tooth. After they have done this, and cleaned the area thoroughly, we will then proceed to shape the tooth into a small nub. This acts as the root and center of the crown, that holds it in place.
Measurements of the tooth are taken and then sent to a dental lab, where they can make a custom-fit crown. This crown will fit comfortably in your mouth and provide strength to the dental arch.
Until the crown is made, we will fit a temporary crown, which will be worn for about 2-3 weeks. Fitting the crown usually takes 30 minutes, and the filing of the tooth usually takes 60 minutes. These times can vary depending on how simple or difficult the individual case is.
Robert J. Malone DDS offers a variety of different crowns that can suit your individual needs. We want to support your next dental service and can help choose what option is best for your mouth. To schedule an appointment to learn more, contact us at (760) 546-5557 today. |
