When you visit your Dental Clinic, they will recommend that you get a crown for your tooth or teeth. Your friends show off their beautiful teeth and tell you they have just had a veneer. These dental jargon can be very confusing, so make sure to understand what sort of dental treatment you’re getting, when the dentist suggests the treatment to you.
Dental Crowns are caps that are placed on the teeth by the dentist to restore the shape and size, strength, and appearance of the tooth or teeth. Crowns can protect a tooth from breaking and also to hold together parts of a cracked tooth. In most cases a dental crown is used to prevent further damage to the tooth due to cavities and tooth decay. Crowns can also be used in certain cases for cosmetic purposes to cover teeth that are severely discolored. A crown can also be placed on top of an implant to provide a tooth-like shape and structure.
There are various types of dental material that is used to make a crown.
- Metal or gold – these types of crowns are strong and rarely chip or break, but are most often used for teeth that are not very visible, such as molars. As front teeth with this type of material can be very embarrassing and can affect a patient’s smile. Gold crown can be very expensive as well.
- Porcelain fused with metal (PFM) – these types of crowns are commonly used due to the strength of the metal, while the porcelain matches the adjacent teeth. This is the most preferred and popular type of tooth-colored crowns for many years.
- Porcelain or ceramic crowns – these types of crowns are made out of only porcelain or ceramic. Despite their natural look, they are not as strong as metal crowns. These can be quite expensive as well.
- Resin – these crowns are the cheapest, but they tend to wear down after a period of time.
Some of the main reasons the at dentists recommend dental crowns are for,
- To replace a tooth that has a large filling
- To protect, restore and strengthen a tooth from cracking and fractures
- To attach a dental bridge
- To cover and protect a dental implant
- To cover a discolored or badly shaped tooth
- For a tooth that has a root canal treatment
After a complete check up and examination your dentist will recommend the best type of crown that is best suited for you.
Veneers are a non-invasive solution for dental flaws and protect the surface of the tooth from any further damage. A veneer is a custom made thin shell that is made of either composite resin or dental porcelain (ceramic). A veneer can be placed over one tooth or several teeth. Ceramic Veneers are an excellent alternative to crowns.
Dental Veneers are an ideal solution for changing a tooth’s color, size or shape. They can also cover up undesirable defects in the teeth such as discoloration and strained teeth stained, discolored fillings in front teeth, gaps in the front teeth or teeth that are chipped or worn out. Veneers feel and function just like natural teeth.
