A crown is a prosthetic placed over an existing tooth to create a smoother, cleaner look and enhance strength and durability. When a tooth is fractured, has an outdated filling, or is severely damaged by decay, the placement of a crown may be recommended. Crowns strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and can improve the appearance of your smile. Types of crowns include the full porcelain crown, the porcelain-fused-to-metal crown and the all-metal crown.

Crowns restore the appearance of your teeth. A crown will be the same size and shape as the natural tooth. As a result, it will keep your jaw and bite aligned; it will also make sure that your other teeth don’t shift or take on a greater share of the work of biting and chewing.

Today’s well-constructed crowns look and function just like natural teeth. Crown technology has improved tremendously over the years, and older, unattractive crowns can be replaced with newer, more natural-looking versions. They are a great option when the damage or decay to your tooth is so extensive that filling materials cannot make the tooth strong enough. Crowns are most often made of gold or porcelain but can also be made of stainless steel. Porcelain crowns are carefully matched in color so they cannot be distinguished from your natural teeth.

Many people choose porcelain crowns for the cosmetic appearance and the confidence it gives them. New materials are now available that allow the use of “all-ceramic” crowns in some cases. Some people prefer not to use gold because it stands out from the other teeth in appearance.

Our team at Inspire Dental Studio will be happy to discuss the various types of materials available for a dental crown.