
Dental crowns are used to repair damaged or severely infected teeth. A crown covers the entire visible portion of a tooth, down the gums, and can restore it to its original shape and size. Normally, a crown is manufactured to look like a natural tooth, but it is available in many different materials. The type of material chosen can depend on the position it is placed in the mouth, patient desire, and patient budget.
Dr. Castello offers dental crowns for his patients. A crown will also be used with certain denture or bridge types, as well as when root canals need to be performed.
The six types of crowns are:
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Permanent or temporary: Temporary crowns are used to cover a prepared tooth while waiting for the permanent crown to be made. The permanent crown is then placed with a stronger cement.
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Stainless steel: Stainless steel crowns are normally used on children’s primary teeth because they are more cost-effective and require fewer dental visits. The crown will fall off naturally when the permanent tooth emerges.
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Metal: Metal crowns are good for use on the back teeth because they are stronger and withstand the biting and chewing forces better. Metal crowns rarely chip or break, and the metal color is less noticeable in the back of the mouth.
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All-resin: All-resin crowns are less expensive but are more prone to fracture and will wear down over time.
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All-ceramic or all-porcelain: Ceramic or porcelain crowns provide a better color match to the original and remaining teeth. These can be placed for front or back teeth and are an option for people with metal allergies.
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Porcelain fused to metal: Porcelain fused to metal also looks more like normal teeth, but they tend to chip or break off more easily and cause more wear on the opposing teeth.