What is a crown on your tooth? 

If your teeth are decayed and bent out of shape, you might have been offered several solutions. Some may have suggested reshaping the teeth or getting a new one, while others may have told you something even more radical. 

However, the best solution is often the simplest one – a crown on your tooth. This straightforward procedure can effectively restore your tooth’s health and appearance.

Essentially a cap in the shape of a tooth, a dental crown is put over the damaged tooth to restore its aesthetics and functionality. Importantly, it also adds to its strength and acts as a protective shield for your teeth, ensuring their long-term health. 

Why do you need a dental crown? How many types of dental crowns are there? And how long does a dental crown last? These are the questions we discuss in this article. 

What is the Purpose of a Crown on a Tooth? 

This section explores the different reasons why people get crowns on their teeth:

Protection 

Its first purpose is protection. When a tooth gets weak due to breaking of the excessive cavities, you need something to hold them together. A dental crown, with its strong foundation, does so properly. 

Restoration

If your teeth have already broken down but you want to restore their appearance and function, a dental crown can help by adding shape to the missing part and restoring your teeth. 

Support 

If a tooth has a particularly large filling and there are not many teeth left, support is needed to balance that filling so that the tooth stays consolidated and strong. That’s where the dental crown plays its part in supporting that filling. 

Coverage

After a root canal treatment, the tooth is in a vulnerable position. A dental crown can help by providing cover and support. It also adds strength to the dental bridge, holding it in place. 

Cosmetic Improvement

If your teeth are naturally misshapen or have lost shape due to excitement, a dental crown can help improve them cosmetically. 

Dental Implant

For those who have gotten a new dental implant, an apparatus that can provide function and aesthetics is needed. A dental crown also helps with this. 

What Are the Different Types of Dental Crowns?

Multiple types of dental crowns are available on the market based on the materials used. Each is suited for different purposes and has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are the different types of crowns available on the market based on their usage trends. 

• Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crown: They are the most commonly used dental crowns for front and back teeth. Strong and durable, they do match the color of the adjacent teeth. However, the metal underlayer often reveals itself through a dark line on the gum line. Furthermore, it may cause wear and tear to opposing teeth with time. 
• All-Ceramic or All-Porcelain Crowns: Ideal for front teeth due to their natural appearance, these all-ceramic or all-porcelain browns are perfect for maintaining your teeth’s natural color. The lack of metal makes them suitable for people with metal allergies. However, they are not as strong as PFM crowns, which is a trade-off for their aesthetics. 
• All-Metal Crowns: All-metal crowns made from gold, nickel, palladium, or chromium are best for out-of-sight molars. They are extremely strong and capable of withstanding chewing. However, they are not tooth colored, which makes them noticeable and useful only for most vanity seekers. 
• Zirconia Crowns: Those looking for extremely strong and durable dental crowns can go for Zirconia crowns. Suited for both front and back teeth, they are aesthetically good and biocompatible, which makes them less prone to causing allergic reactions. However, they can cause wear and tear to opposing teeth.
• E-Max (Lithium Disilicate) Crowns: These dental crowns are also best for front and back teeth. Strong and aesthetic, they provide a natural appearance. However, they are expensive and often have to be custom-made by dentists. 
• Stainless Steel Crowns: Those looking for a more temporary solution for children can consider stainless steel crowns. Although inexpensive and quick to place, they are unsuitable for long-term use and have metallic colors. 
• All-Resin Crowns: Like stainless steel crowns, all-resin crowns are also temporary and good for budget-conscious. They can be built quickly but are less durable and more prone to fracture and wear. 

How Long Does a Crown Last?

The longevity of a dental crown depends on the material used, the location of the brown, and the patient’s hygiene practices. Generally, they last for 5 to 15 years. The list of expected longevity of the crowns we mentioned is given below:

• Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crown: These can last 10 to 15 years or longer, provided proper care.
• All-Ceramic or All-Porcelain Crowns: These can last between 5 to 15 years. However, they are more prone to chipping, which makes oral hygiene crucial to their longevity.
• All-Metal Crowns: All-metal crowns can last up to 20 years because they are durable and less likely to wear down.
• Zirconia Crowns: These crowns can last for 10 to 15 years. Even though they are durable, proper care is still necessary.
• E-Max (Lithium Disilicate) Crowns: These crowns last 10 to 15 years and require some maintenance. 
• Stainless Steel Crowns: These are temporary and only implanted in children until their primary tooth falls out. 
• All-Resin Crowns: These can generally last from 5 to 7 years.

Conclusion

This guide has properly answered the question – what is a crown on tooth? We have also explored why people get it, the types of dental crowns, and how long they last. 

Do you want access to the high-quality dental crowns we discussed? If so, contact Smile Alive for more information.