If you’ve been prescribed a dental crown procedure to repair a cracked or damaged tooth, or to complete root canal therapy or dental implant surgery, choosing the right crown type and material is critical. If you are considering getting a dental crown to cosmetically repair your smile, then the right material is even more important.
At No Gaps Dental, we use premium ceramic to create high-quality dental crowns that look identical to natural teeth. Whether you want a crown for cosmetic or functional reasons, it’s important to learn about the different types of dental crowns. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the types of dental crowns.
Who is a Candidate for a Dental Crown Treatment?
Typically, dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that are fitted over existing teeth to protect them and restore their appearance. A dental crown is an effective solution for treating various dental issues. Patients may require a dental crown to:
- Protect a weak or decayed tooth
- Restore cracked or severely worn teeth
- Cover a tooth with a very large filling
- Help hold a fragmented tooth together
- Secure a dental bridge
- Cover discoloured teeth
- Fit over a dental implant
- Protect a tooth with a root canal
Different Dental Crowns Types Made
There are several different types of dental crowns. Choosing the right type depends on multiple factors, including the strength, durability, and aesthetic of the dental crown.
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Temporary dental crowns
Temporary dental crowns are designed for use over a short period. They are a professionally fitted cap for your damaged tooth, used as a short-term solution, following a root canal or dental implant procedure.
You wear these while waiting for your permanent tooth crowns to be fabricated. Temporary crowns are typically made from acrylic-based plastic materials or stainless steel.
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Traditional permanent dental crowns
Traditional permanent dental crowns are available in various materials. They have been the standard dental crown solution for decades. Permanent dental crowns are typically installed in two dental visits.
At the first appointment, your dentist takes X-rays and performs preparatory work before temporary tooth crowns are fitted. The permanent crowns take approximately two weeks to fabricate and are fitted at the follow-up visit.
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Onlays
An onlay is a type of partial dental crown that only fits over the tooth’s biting surface. Onlays are typically used to repair teeth with cavities too large to be filled with conventional fillings but not enough damage for a full dental crown.
They require less tooth preparation than traditional dental crowns, allowing you to preserve as much of the tooth’s structure as possible.
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Same-day dental crowns
Same-day dental crowns are a fast, durable restoration treatment for damaged teeth. Instead of taking standard dental impressions using polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) or alginate putty, your dentist scans your mouth using 3D digital imaging technology.
This means that same-day dental crowns can be fabricated and cemented in place within a single appointment for instant results.
Types of Dental Crown Materials Used
Dental crowns are made from various materials, depending on the extent of the tooth damage and the tooth’s location in your mouth. The type of material your dentist uses can affect the longevity of your tooth crowns and how well they blend in with your smile. Some of the most common dental crown materials include:
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Gold alloy
Gold dental crowns are made from gold alloy, a highly durable and hard-wearing material. They are usually placed on the premolars and molars at the back of the dental arch because they can withstand the intense bite force and grinding action these teeth sustain.
Because of their durability, they are often recommended for patients who suffer from bruxism.
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Porcelain
Porcelain dental crowns are crafted from porcelain ceramic which has a translucent quality that gives them the same appearance as your natural teeth, offering the most realistic look of any type of dental crown.
Porcelain dental crowns are robust and resistant to cavities and cracks, and they can last up to 15 years with a good at-home cleaning regimen and semi-annual dental check-ups.
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Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM)
PFM crowns combine the rugged durability of metal crowns with the natural look of porcelain by using the beauty of porcelain fused to a sturdy metal base. The result is a strong crown that matches your natural tooth colour.
They can be placed in any location in the mouth, though they are most often used towards the back of the dental arch.
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Composite resin
Composite resin dental crowns are made entirely from composite resin material, a plastic called acrylic resin, reinforced with other ceramic materials. Composite resin tooth crowns have become a popular option because of their low cost and ability to closely match natural tooth colour, making them excellent for cosmetic dentistry.
CEREC Dental Crowns
At No Gaps Dental, we offer our patients CEREC dental crowns. Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC) refers to a computer-aided design, and computer-aided manufacturing system (CAD/CAM) used to create materials for restorative dentistry.
The system includes a camera, computer and milling machine that work in combination to create your custom dental crown fast.
CEREC dental crowns are a durable alternative to traditional dental crown materials and come with the advantage of same-day placement because we mill them onsite.
If your dentist prescribes a dental crown, you’ll attend an appointment where we take a digital scan of the tooth requiring a crown. Using CAD/CAM technology, we take the digital images and use them to craft a precise model of the tooth.
The model data is sent wirelessly to the milling machine, where we create a 3D ceramic dental crown in just 15 minutes. Your dental crown is made from a block of cement selected to match the shade of your natural teeth. Once the dental crown is ready, your dentist polishes it and fits it in your mouth before cementing it in place.
The CEREC process means your appointment, from start to finish, can take as little as 90 minutes. Following that short visit, you’ll leave our practice with a beautiful custom dental crown that enhances your smile and protects your damaged tooth or rejuvenates your smile.
Benefits of CEREC Dental Crowns
Besides the quick turnaround time, the other advantages of choosing a dentist offering CEREC tooth crowns include:
- Eliminates the need for temporary crowns
- Improved fit and accuracy because of the advanced technology
- Reduced risk of tooth sensitivity because it’s a perfect fit
- Reliable, long-lasting protection
This custom crown can last from 10 to 15 years or longer with a good oral care routine.
Ask Us About CEREC and Other Types of Dental Crowns
If you need a dental crown, talk to our dentists at No Gaps Dental about choosing CEREC. Whether you need restorative or cosmetic dentistry, we use cutting-edge technology in a sanitised environment to reduce the amount of time you need to spend in the dental chair. Our team can guide you through your oral health journey to restore your perfect smile.
Book an appointment at one of our 15 locations across New South Wales today using our online contact form or call us now on (02) 8806 0227.