best dental crown for your smile

How to Choose the Best Dental Crown for Your Smile?

Choosing the right dental crown for your smile can be a difficult decision. Whether you need a crown to cover a damaged tooth or are considering a cosmetic option, it’s important to understand the different types of crowns available and how they might affect your overall look and feel.

In this article, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different types of crowns, and provide tips on how to choose the best dental crown for your unique smile. We will also explore the costs of each treatment.

What is a Dental Crown? How to Make the Right Decision for You?

Dental crowns are a common and effective treatment option for restoring teeth, mouth, and gums to health. They can be used in a variety of dental procedures, from repairing chipped or cracked teeth to protecting root canal-treated teeth.

When considering whether to choose dental crowns as part of your treatment plan, there are several important factors that you should consider first.

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Condition of your teeth

First and foremost is the condition of your teeth. what type of damage have they sustained? Are any other restorative treatments necessary before addressing the issue with a dental crown?

If so, such treatments may include fillings, bonding material applications, or even more serious measures like root canals and post & cores, depending on how badly damaged, the tooth is.

Additionally, it helps if you’re aware of any pre-existing conditions that could impact your ability to receive a successful restoration with dental crowns. For example, conditions like periodontitis hamper successful restorations as the longevity of the tooth you restore decreases drastically, as the periodontitis condition worsens.

Your dentist will be able to give you tailored advice based on their professional opinion after evaluating all these factors.

Type of dental crown

The second thing you need to ask yourself when deciding upon getting dental crowns is “what kind do I need?”. Different types of dental crowns suit different situations.  

Full metal crowns:

Full metal crowns are usually stronger and offer sturdiness. They are made of different combinations of alloys. But they are highly unaesthetic and might not suit front teeth.

Moreover, people now started preferring more aesthetic presentations than economical options.

porcelain fused metal (PFM):

The PFMs are a perfect blend of aesthetic porcelain to metal alloys. They provide a perfect balance between aesthetics and economics.

PFMs blend better with natural teeth. But they tend to be way inferior in terms of aesthetics when compared with zirconia.

PFMs are the treatment of choice for heavy bruxers who chew a lot and are a perfect companion to long-span dental bridges in the back tooth region. Long-span bridges are usually advised when more than 2 teeth are lost.

As long-span bridges require more teeth to be replaced, PFMs become the best choice for such replacements.

Zirconia crowns:

Zirconia offers transparency like natural teeth. Fusions between ceramic/porcelain materials with Zirconia in front teeth, allow natural light to transmit through the crown, providing a highly aesthetic appearance.

It is not often found in traditional nontransparent materials, which makes zirconia the treatment of choice for capping front teeth. You will never regret it when you opt for a zirconia crown in your front teeth.

Furthermore, minimal tooth reduction helps in maintaining healthy dentition elements.

Do I require them immediately?

Thirdly – although not always necessary – comes timing options. Do I require them immediately without delay or am I willing/able to wait for different appointment time frames?

Usually, zirconia crowns can be milled on the same day and delivered, but it’s a costly affair. On the other hand, PFMs usually take 3 to 4 days to get into your mouth.

As you all know, “Time is money!”.

Finances

Finance must also be factored into consideration. Laboratory fabrication, waiting times, and original anatomy (Intraoral scans) vs xeroxed remake (model scans) would eventually determine the time of making and the cost of treatment.

Course finish lines, exact representation of anatomy, and provision of different shades of yellow and white on the teeth for more aesthetics, also define the time to deliver the product and the amount you pay for it.

PFMs

PFMs come with various manufacturing modes, the most economical being, preparing wax patterns for fabricating the metal part of the crowns.

On the other hand, the metal surface of the PFMs can also be prepared with milling crowns from metal discs (Subtractive manufacturing).

Milling:

However, the most expensive and advanced option is to sinter metal powder with laser into a metal crown (Additive manufacturing). They are also called as DMLS (Direct metal laser sintering) crowns.

DMLS:

Eventually, each type of these dental crown has different quality standards. Your dentist might charge according to the type of PFM you select.

Zirconia & All ceramics

On the other hand, Zirconia crowns are prepared from Zirconia blocks produced by different manufacturing companies. Ranging from lab-made zirconia crowns to CERECs (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics), the aesthetics in these crowns is outstanding.

CEREC milling

But you get what you pay for. I mean to say that you have various standards of zirconia produced by different companies. The cost of these zirconia crowns varies depending on your choice.

Lab-manufactured zirconia crowns take some time. As the dentist has to send the impressions of your teeth to the lab and lab personnel has to manufacture the crowns, it takes some time.

Of course, crowns can be delivered on the same day using chair-side manufacturing technology called CEREC. But you have to compensate for your time with the price.

All ceramics definitely provide good aesthetics, but also take a long lab time to be manufactured.

zirconia crowns milling

Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Types of Crowns

When it comes to choosing a dental crown, there are several options available From metal options such as gold and porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM to all-ceramic or zirconia crowns, each type has its own advantages and disadvantages that you should consider when deciding which is best for your oral health needs.

Metal crowns

How to Choose the Best Dental Crown for Your Smile?

Metal Crowns, including both gold and PFM types, are a popular choice due to their strength and durability However, they can be more noticeable in the mouth due to their metallic coloring.

Gold also tends to be more expensive than other material choices but will often last longer with proper care

PFMs

Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM crowns have both metal components and ceramic sections together resulting in an aesthetically pleasing look while providing greater protection against fractures.

Yet, because of the metal component being exposed at the gum line, these may collect bacteria causing potential gum inflammation over time if not adequately maintained through regular brushing/flossing or checkups/cleanings every month.

Zirconia and All ceramic

How to Choose the Best Dental Crown for Your Smile?

All Ceramic or Zirconia Crowns use only a single material throughout instead of relying on any underlying metals making them very discreet in appearance whilst eliminating any risk of allergic reactions.

The downside however is that all ceramics may be prone to fracture under prolonged biting pressure despite improvements.

Thus, increased wear might necessitate replacement sooner than expected when compared with PFM alternatives, particularly for molars located at the back of the mouth where most chewing activity occurs.

Ultimately selecting between different types of dental crowns usually means weighing up both aesthetic value alongside cost effectiveness while accepting tradeoffs between lifespans & functionality.

Since no single perfect solution exists without sacrificing something else along the way such as a shorter lifespan experienced by utilizing all ceramics vs stronger bite support from historical long-lasting PFMs.

CrownsAdvantagesDisadvantages
Gold & Metal AlloysSuperior strengthPoor aesthetics
PFMSuperior strengthMetal in contact with soft-tissue
All ceramicSuperior aestheticsPoor longevity
ZirconiaSuperior aesthetics & strengthPrice

Considerations for Choosing a Dental Crown

When you require a restoration of your teeth, dental crowns are sometimes necessary. Dental crowns are caps that fit over a damaged or decayed tooth and protect it from further damage, for them to function properly.

There is an involved process for choosing the right type of crown for your teeth. Your dentist will evaluate any existing tooth decay or other damage before making their recommendation.

The type of crown to choose will depend on the amount and location of decay along with its proximity to other oral structures such as gums or nerves in nearby teeth.

An important factor in choosing the right dental crown is aesthetics; the color and shape should be taken into consideration when selecting material since they influence how natural your smile looks.

Additionally, certain materials may work better than others depending on where in your mouth they’ll be placed. For example, metal works well if it’s near back molar areas, where strength matters more than appearance. Sometimes, a PFM might serve better there, instead. Zirconia crowns provide the best aesthetics for your front teeth.

Despite advances in technology that make most procedures involving dental care faster and easier, understanding why certain materials will work better than others still take time to understand. They depend mainly dependent on factors like functionality and aesthetics. Patients and practitioners can come up with a solution that works best given the unique needs of each individual circumstance presented by a particular case’s assessment.

The goal when selecting dental treatments like this one is always to ensure proper health and enduring restoration. Obtaining knowledge and having an open dialogue between doctor-patient can help ensure decisions are made fully informed and provide the desired outcome.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Dental

The decision to get a dental crown is an important one, and there are many factors that should be taken into account when making the choice. Crowns provide protection for your tooth, allowing it to maintain its structure while continuing to function properly.

To make sure you get the most out of your investment in a crown, it’s important to consider all of the different factors that go into choosing one.

Material

One of the first things you should think about is what type of material will work best for your particular situation. Each option has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, so researching before making a decision can help ensure you choose the right material for your needs.

Durability

Another factor that comes into play when selecting a dental crown is durability. Thicker materials like gold & alloys are more durable than thinner ones like full ceramic. But they may also require additional maintenance over time due to their extra weight on teeth.

Money

Money should always be kept in mind when deciding whether certain types are suitable choices or not. some materials cost more initially but might last longer overall than others.

Patient comfort

The comfort aspect should not be underestimated too. The newer CAD/CAM & Laser Milling technology has improved greatly, offering much better comfort to the patients.

All the above statements should be considered before deciding on the crown of choice.

Tips for Choosing the Best Dental Crown for Your Smile

Dental crowns are a great way to improve your smile, but choosing the right one is essential. With so many types of crowns on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is best for you.

This comprehensive guide will help you make an informed decision about which dental crown is right for your perfect smile.

Durability

First and foremost, you should consider the type of dental crown that your dentist recommends. For instance, if you have significant tooth decay or discoloration then porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns may be a better option than all-ceramic ones as they provide more strength and durability over time due to their metallic base layer.

Zirconia offers superior strength and durability for dental crowns. It is at least three times stronger than all-ceramic and PFM crowns. It is a safe bet in many instances but comes with a premium price.

Aesthetics

if aesthetics are more important than longevity in terms of creating your perfect smile then all-ceramic options may be suitable since these materials produce a natural look with perfect aesthetics.

Design

The design aspects associated with each type of crown also matter greatly. visibility and color matching are 2 important points to be considered before selecting a crown. So consult with an experienced dentist or take the help of an experienced dental technician prior to making any decisions here! All Ceramic and zirconia come with custom staining and provide superior esthetics and design to a crown.

Moreover, their thin walls provide good translucency properties and make the teeth look natural.

Cost

Not everyone has unlimited budgets invested in these kinds of dental treatments. So, decide which features are most important for you and try to negotiate wherever possible, while still getting quality products.

Here is the list of costs of one unit of various types of dental crowns.

Note:- The prices might change from place to place and between dental offices.

CrownPrice
Gold crowns$600 – $2500
Metal crowns$300 – $600
PFM crowns$500 – $1500
All ceramic$1000 – $3000
Zirconia$1000 – $3500

Conclusion

When it comes to taking care of your smile, the type of crown you choose for your teeth is important. The wrong dental crown can lead to a less-than-stellar result, so it’s essential that you understand what types are available and how they work before deciding.

Choosing the correct shade is vital for your teeth. A good shade makes your crown more natural and will gel well with your remaining teeth.

Making the right decisions when it comes to spending your hard-earned money on a dental crown can be a challenge. By taking all of the factors discussed in this article into consideration, including your budget, aesthetic preferences, and dental health needs, you will be able to find the best dental crown for your smile.

Have a happy smile!

Dr. Kiran

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