Over time, teeth can experience damage as well as wear and tear. Even with good oral hygiene this is normal. Your teeth can lose their shape and become weak and more likely to chip or break. Dental crowns are basically caps for the teeth, designed to restore the tooth’s strength, appearance, and shape.
There are temporary crowns for teeth which are usually used as placeholders until a permanent one is made, and permanent same day crowns which are cemented onto the tooth for a long-lasting solution. Permanent dental crowns for teeth can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years depending on your hygiene habits, crown material, as well as many other factors.
Are Dental Crowns Necessary?
There are a number of reasons why our dentist in Bismarck, ND may recommend you to get a dental crown. The benefits are endless as they can save you from painful surgical procedures and more dental work in the future. The most common reasons patients need fake tooth dental crowns are tooth decay, tooth damage such as breaks or chips, and root canals. They add support, stability, protection, and coverage for problem teeth and eliminate the pain and hassle for you.
The Different Types of Dental Crowns
There are a variety of different materials you can use to make your dental crown. The biggest differences between them are their economic value as well as their appearance. While there are many options for permanent crowns, temporary dental crowns are usually only made of two materials: metal and plastic.
Since a temporary tooth cap is meant to last no longer than a few weeks, they do not need to be made from high-quality materials. Permanent crowns, however, do need to be made with high-quality material so they are strong enough to withstand many years of wear and tear. The common types of materials used for permanent crowns include:
- Gold– Gold crown teeth add strength and durability and are most commonly used on the back teeth where they won’t show when the patient smiles or laughs. The biggest advantage of these crowns is the low cost.
- Porcelain– Our porcelain crowns are molded in our in-house lab and are made to look like the rest of your teeth and blend in with your smile. These crowns can be used in front and back teeth and provide the most natural look out of all the materials.
- Composite Resin– This type of tooth crown is made from a combination of plastic materials and is color matched to the surrounding teeth.
- Zirconia– These crown teeth give you the best of both worlds matching the strength of metal crowns while also matching the natural look of your teeth.
Temporary Crowns
Temporary dental crowns are exactly what they sound like – temporary. Most dentists use temporary crowns as a short-term solution to add protection to the affected tooth until a permanent dental crown can be made. Temporary dental caps are not usually a perfect fit and can be unstable since they are held to the tooth with a thin layer of glue.
This makes it easier for the dentist to replace it with a permanent crown once it is made. With that said, more care should be taken with temporary dental crown teeth than what is needed for permanent ones. You should be extra gentle while brushing and flossing to prevent loosening the crown. You should also be sure to call your dentist if you do run into problems with the dental crown.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Come and see our excellent dentists Dr. Derik Hoerner and Dr. Christopher Klym at our office in Bismarck, ND today. Bismarck Advanced Dental and Implants serves all patients around the Bismarck area.
