Do you know what a dental crown is and what types of dental crowns exist?
It is common for us to think of the tooth as a complete unit. In reality, the tooth is made up of the root, which is the part that inserts into the gum, the crown, which is the visible part of the tooth, and the neck or cervical area, which joins the crown and the root.
The artificial dental crown
What is a dental crown?
2.Use of dental crowns.
3.Types of artificial crowns.
4.Clinical case of dental crowns.
5.Treatments with dental crowns at Clinicas Udemax.
1.What is a dental crown?
The dental crown is the visible part of the tooth that has a relevant role in chewing functions and, given its visibility, defines the aesthetics of the smile.
There are natural crowns, which are those that form part of the individual’s original dentition, and artificial crowns, which are fixed prostheses that are placed on a tooth or an implant.
The artificial crown covers the tooth completely, fulfilling 100% of the lost chewing functions and recovering the lost aesthetics.
In general, dental crowns are most often placed on premolars and molars, the teeth that have the greatest jaw load during chewing, which causes greater wear.
In addition, bacteria accumulation is greater on these teeth, not only because of their role in chewing but also because of the difficulty of reaching these teeth during brushing.
Sometimes the dental crown is also referred to as a dental cap.
Dental crown on tooth
2.Use of artificial dental crowns.
As a reinforcement of a damaged tooth
When a tooth has suffered significant wear, increased tooth sensitivity and/or compromise of the tooth structure itself can occur.
Similarly, if the tooth has suffered a trauma that has caused a breakage, has lost surface area due to a filling or has undergone a root canal, the dentist must ensure the strength of the tooth by carrying out a grinding (reduction of the dental volume by two millimetres along the entire length of the tooth) that will give the tooth its final conical shape in order to subsequently cover it with an artificial crown.
Supporting a bridge
The lack of a tooth when the patient is to receive a bridge is another reason why a crown will be placed.
The need to ensure the stability of the bridge and its resistance to masticatory processes makes it necessary to secure the bridge to the adjacent teeth.
The placement of a crown to secure a bridge requires milling of the adjacent teeth.
On an implant
The loss of a tooth is definitively solved by placing a dental implant.
The dental implant, like the natural tooth, is made up of three parts: the osseointegrated fixation, the abutment and the artificial dental crown.
The osseointegrated fixture or implant itself is implanted in the jawbone and is usually in the form of a screw. The abutment connects the implant to the crown.
Finally, the crown will finish off the whole, giving the final appearance of a natural tooth.
For aesthetic reasons
Some patients are dissatisfied with the shape, colour or position of their teeth. These are usually the front teeth, which are the most exposed in the smile.
The dentist will be able to recommend the best option for correction, which may involve dental veneers or the fitting of new dental crowns.
2. Type of artificial crowns
Artificial crowns are made of different materials, which are the origin of this classification.
The material used is linked to the location of the piece that will receive the crown, since, depending on the piece to be treated, functional needs or aesthetics may prevail.
Porcelain dental crown (also called empress)
Porcelain crowns are used on posterior teeth or on molars if the patient does not suffer from bruxism (if so, they could fracture).
Porcelain crowns are strong, non-allergenic and have a wide range of shades that make them look natural. However, it is not as strong as the zirconium or metal-porcelain crown.
Metal dental crown
The metal dental crown is used in cases of bruxism due to its great resistance, since, as we have already mentioned, the porcelain crown could fracture.
The metal crown is not an aesthetic option for most patients, so its use is usually restricted to posterior teeth.
The term ‘metal’ includes metals such as gold, platinum and nickel.
Zirconium dental crown
As we have mentioned in the case of orthodontics with aesthetic brackets, zirconium is a very resistant, translucent material that is highly adaptable to the colour of the patient’s teeth. In addition, the surface prevents the development of bacteria and reduces sensitivity due to temperature changes.
This means that it is often used in anterior teeth, which are more exposed.
Its resistance is on a par with that of metal, and may even exceed it if the metal is reinforced with yttrium.
Metal-porcelain dental crown
This type of crown combines the strength of metal with the naturalness of porcelain. It is a piece of metal covered with ceramic.
They cost less than zirconium and porcelain crowns, but may be visible through the gums or if the gums should recede.
Lithium disilicate dental crowns
Lithium disilicate crowns are composed of ceramic and glass. They are similar in strength to zirconia and the aesthetics are almost identical: the only difference is that lithium disilicate tends to be slightly less opaque.
Clinical case of dental crowns
Dental crown treatments in Clinicas Udemax
Make an appointment at Clinicas Udemax and choose the location that best suits you: Udemax in the outpatient clinics of Policlínica Juaneda, in Arcdental or in Emardental, your clinic in the centre of Palma. For more information, call us on .
