Dental crowns, or tooth crowns, can be a great solution for people with damaged teeth, as they can restore both the appearance and functionality of the tooth. Although dental crowns are a common, popular, and safe procedure, like any treatment, they have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Kooringal Dental will explain the pros and cons of dental crowns, so you can understand the different options available and decide whether dental crowns are the best solution for your current circumstances and your overall oral health.
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that’s placed over a damaged or decayed tooth. It’s designed to restore the tooth’s strength, shape, size, and appearance while improving its overall functionality.
Dental crowns are often used to protect and preserve teeth that cannot be restored with fillings or other dental treatments.
What is a dental crown made of?
Dental crowns can be made from various materials, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages:
Porcelain or Ceramic Crowns:
- Advantages: Porcelain or ceramic dental crowns offer excellent aesthetics, as they closely resemble natural teeth in colour and translucence. This makes them an ideal choice for front teeth.
- Disadvantages: Porcelain and ceramic crowns are more prone to chipping and cracking, particularly when used for molars. These materials may also be less durable than other options.
Metal Crowns (Gold or Silver Alloys):
- Advantages: Metal crowns are incredibly durable and can withstand strong chewing forces without chipping or breaking.
- Disadvantages: The metallic appearance of these crowns makes them less aesthetically pleasing, which may be a concern for some patients, especially for visible front teeth.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns:
- Advantages: PFM crowns combine the strength of metal with the natural appearance of porcelain, offering both durability and aesthetics. They are suitable for both front and back teeth.
- Disadvantages: Over time, a thin metal line near the gumline may become visible, affecting the crown’s appearance. All ceramic crowns are more aesthetic, and all-metal crowns are stronger.
Zirconia Crowns:
- Advantages: Zirconia crowns are a great choice for front and back teeth due to their natural-looking aesthetics and exceptional durability, making them highly resistant to chipping and cracking.
- Disadvantages: Zirconia crowns tend to be more opaque than other materials, which can impact their translucence and overall appearance. However, advancements in technology have led to more translucent zirconia options.
Why you should get a dental crown?
There are various reasons why your dentist may recommend a dental crown. Dental crowns are usually recommended for the following reasons:
- Tooth protection: Crowns are used to protect weak or damaged teeth from further deterioration, especially when the tooth structure has been compromised due to decay, fractures, or large fillings.
- Restoration of broken teeth: Dental crowns can restore teeth that have been broken or fractured, allowing them to function normally.
- Cosmetic enhancement: Dental crowns can enhance the appearance of discoloured, misshapen, or poorly aligned teeth, improving your smile.
- Root canal treatment: After a root canal procedure, a dental crown is often placed over the treated tooth to reinforce it and prevent future infection.
The Advantages of Getting a Dental Crown
Dental crowns offer several advantages for restoring damaged or decayed teeth, allowing you to get back to your normal activities and feel good about your smile:
- Restoration of tooth function and aesthetics: Dental crowns restore damaged or weakened teeth, allowing you to chew and speak confidently while improving your smile’s appearance.
- Enhanced tooth strength and durability: Crowns provide a protective barrier for weakened teeth, preventing further damage and extending their lifespan.
- Long-lasting solution: When properly cared for, dental crowns can last many years, providing a reliable and permanent dental restoration.
- Natural tooth appearance: Porcelain and ceramic crowns can be colour-matched to your existing teeth, ensuring a seamless and natural look.
- Improved chewing and speaking abilities: Dental crowns restore the functionality of damaged teeth, allowing you to eat and speak comfortably.
- Prevention of further tooth damage: Crowns protect teeth from further decay, and also cracking.
- Support for dental bridges: Dental crowns are often used to anchor dental bridges, replacing missing teeth and maintaining proper alignment.
The Disadvantages of Getting a Dental Crown
However, as with any dental procedure, there are some disadvantages of dental crowns to consider as well:
- Cost: Dental crowns can be relatively expensive, especially when using high-quality materials. The cost may also vary depending on the complexity of the procedure.
- Tooth Sensitivity: After the placement of a crown, some individuals may experience heightened tooth sensitivity, a sensation that typically diminishes over time.
- Multiple Appointments: The process of obtaining a dental crown may necessitate more than one dental visit, posing an inconvenience for certain individuals.
- Potential for Damage: Despite their durability, crowns can still chip or break. Prolonging their lifespan involves avoiding excessive force and habits such as teeth grinding.
- Possible Allergic Reactions: Metal crowns have the potential to induce allergies in some individuals. It is crucial to discuss material options with your dentist, especially if you have known allergies.
What to consider when getting a dental crown
When deciding whether to get a dental crown, it’s essential to carefully weigh up the pros and cons, taking your specific dental needs and circumstances into account.
If you’re thinking of getting dental crowns, consider the following factors:
- Your budget: As mentioned above, dental crowns vary in cost depending on the material used and the complexity of your situation, so you’ll need to consider your budget and discuss the cost of different options with your Kooringal dentist.
- Material choice: Talk to Kooringal dentists about the pros and cons of different crown materials to make an informed choice based on your preferences and needs.
- Maintenance: While easy to care for, dental crowns require regular oral hygiene and dental check-ups to ensure their longevity, so it’s important to be aware of the maintenance involved.
- Alternative treatments: In some cases, alternative dental treatments, such as veneers or fillings are also available at Kooringal Dental, and may be more suitable for your specific dental condition. Discuss these options with your dentist so you can decide which treatment is best for you.
Before deciding to get a dental crown, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons, and take into consideration your individual circumstances. Kooringal, your Wagga Wagga dentist is the best person to provide you with more information on whether a crown is the suitable option for you, and also to answer any questions you may have about the process.
If you’d like to chat with your dentist about dental crowns, book an appointment at your local Wagga Wagga Dental practice today.
