Dental Crowns: Types, Aftercare and Lifespan

Everyone desires a healthy smile, and this constitutes healthy teeth. However, only some things go as planned when it comes to our teeth. Accidents happen, and when they do, they can leave us with severely damaged teeth. Besides that, tooth decay can also sabotage the health of our teeth, leaving them vulnerable. Fortunately, the dentist who installs dental crowns in Northlake, IL, can restore the function of your teeth through these dental caps. This article’s main focus is on the different types of dental crowns, how to take care of yours after installation, and how long it can last with proper oral care. So, let’s get into it.

What Is a Tooth Crown and The Various Types?

Our teeth wear out over time, and this is quite normal. However, certain circumstances can make your teeth lose shape, sturdiness, and size. For instance, injuries, tooth decay, and stains can sabotage the appearance and health of your natural tooth. So, when you go for a consultation with the dentist who installs dental crowns near you, they may recommend a tooth crown to restore your tooth.

A dental crown helps restores a damaged or decayed tooth’s size, strength, appearance, and shape. The dental restoration is placed on top of your tooth through dental cement, acting as a cap.

Here are some of the reasons that the dentist in Northlake, IL, can recommend a dental crown:

• Hold a dental bridge in place.
• To cover a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy.
• To cover a dental implant.
• To conceal a mishappen or stained tooth.
• Restore a severely worn down or damaged tooth.
• Protect a vulnerable tooth from decay or prevent it from breaking as it has visible cracks.

What Are The Different Types Of Dental Crowns?

Gold crowns

Gold crowns are made of a combination of copper, nickel, chromium, and gold. Alternatively, crowns are made of plain gold but tend to be very expensive compared to gold alloy crowns.

Pros Of Gold Crowns:

• They are durable.
• They are sturdy and highly resistant.
• They wear down like your natural enamel, making them reliable.
• They are suitable for back teeth.

Cons

• They don’t match the color of your natural teeth.
• Some people experience allergic reactions to this type of crown.

All Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are the most popular crown used today. This is because they can be customized to match the color of your natural teeth and are suitable when a large part of your tooth structure has been damaged.

Pros Of Porcelain Crowns

• They are suitable for front teeth restorations.
• They are toxin-free.
• They match well with the color of your natural teeth.

Cons

• They are less durable than metal or gold crowns.
• They are unsuitable for people with bruxism as they will wear off easily.

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia is a relatively new material when compared to others in this list. However, the material combines the aesthetics of porcelain material and the sturdiness of metal to develop dental crowns known as zirconia crowns.

Pros

• They are durable and sturdy, making them less prone to breakage and chipping.
• They are aesthetically pleasing.
• They are made in less time compared to other dental crowns.
• They are biocompatible.

Cons

• Their sturdiness can compromise the adjacent teeth making them wear down faster when grinding or biting.

Porcelain Fused To Metal Crowns

As the name indicates, this type of dental crown has a top porcelain material fused with metal on the bottom, giving it a sturdy build that still matches your natural teeth, thanks to the porcelain coat on the top.

Pros

• They match well with your natural teeth while still being more durable than all-porcelain crowns.
• They are less expensive than all-porcelain crowns.

Cons

• The metallic base in this type of crown can cause a grey line at the gum line. This affects the color of your tooth.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

Dental crowns can last around 5 to 15 years, depending on your crown type, how well you take care of your teeth, and other lifestyle habits. Some lifestyle habits include smoking tobacco, using your teeth to open bottle tops, etc. Bruxism can also affect the lifespan of your crown.

Dental Crown Aftercare

After dental crown installation, you should wait 24 hours before eating any sticky or hard foods giving the dental cement time to adhere well. Therefore, you should stick to softer foods like soup and scrambled eggs during this period. Moreover, you should floss gently during recovery to avoid dislodging the crown. Nevertheless, proper oral hygiene should be followed as advised by the dentist office near you.

Your teeth play a vital role in your smile. So, if you have any dental problem that has affected it, visit Smiles of Northlake, and we will help restore the smile you desire.