Dental crowns have always been the most sought after solution to restore the look and function of damaged teeth. These tooth shaped caps called crowns help restore your teeth and improve your smile to a great extent.
Whenever the dentist recommends a dental crown/cap two things commonly pop up in any patient’s mind: What type of crown is most suited to me? What is the cost of such a crown? In this article, we address these two questions so that you are well prepared for your dental appointment.
Before we delve into that topic, first let’s understand the scenarios in which you may need a crown
When does the tooth capping dentist recommend dental crowns?
After a thorough examination of your mouth the dentist will guide you on possible treatments. Some of the most common causes behind getting a dental crown are:
- To cover an implant completely
- To cover a weakened tooth after severe decay or cavity
- To align your bite
- To cover a large filling
- It is the last step of the root canal procedure
- It gives an aesthetic appeal: It levels the size, shape and color of your teeth.
In the next section, we have discussed the pros and cons of different types of Dental Crowns
What type of Dental Crown is most suited to me?
We have discussed different types of dental crowns below:
Gold Crowns:
Gold Crowns are a combination of copper and other metals and their main advantage is their strength and durability.
Pros: They are highly resistant, less proportion of natural tooth needs to be removed for a gold crown, and they wear down very slowly making them ideal for posterior restorations.
Cons: They don’t look like natural teeth. Gold alloy crowns can bring about allergic reactions in some people, not making them a suitable option for many.
All Porcelain Crowns:
The most popular type of dental crowns. They are made up of porcelain only.
Pros: They provide the best and most natural look. They match the surrounding teeth in size, shape and color. They are biocompatible i.e. they are toxic free.
Cons: They are not as durable as metal crowns. They are more costly than metal crowns and they require more maintenance compared to a metal crown.
Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns:
These types of crowns are widely used as they provide both strength and aesthetics. Here the porcelain is fused to the metal crown.
Pros: They have great aesthetics and durability, they have been around for 50 years and they work quite well. They are less costly than porcelain crowns.
Cons: They may not provide a completely aesthetic look. May cause a gray line at the gumline. For people who clench their teeth this type of crown may wear down easily.
Now that you know the types of dental crowns available, let’s look into the cost of dental crowns.
The cost of dental crowns
The factors determining the cost of the crowns are listed below:
- The type of dental crown
- The materials used to create the crown
- The geographic location of the dental clinic
- The dental fees charged by the dentist
Porcelain crowns are considered the most expensive and the metal crowns are the least expensive among all dental crowns. In the following section, we have discussed what you need to consider when getting a crown.
What should I consider when getting a dental Crown?
A dental crown is a restorative treatment with high durability, meaning you will have a crown in your mouth for many years. So, you need to get it done professionally by a well qualified and experienced tooth capping dentist.
Check out the dentist thoroughly and don’t always focus on the cost of the dental treatment. Choosing only cheap options might backfire and you will end up getting poor quality treatments.
There are many types of dental crowns available and they are considered as a restorative treatment with lasting durability that keeps your smile beautiful and intact for a long time. Dental crowns restore the function and enhance the appearance of your damaged teeth enhancing your lifestyle for the better.