A crown is a dental restoration that covers the entire tooth surface. It is used to treat teeth that are severely decayed, cracked, or broken. Crowns can also be used to improve the appearance of teeth that are discoloured or misshapen. But what does a crown on a tooth look like?
A dental crown is made from various materials, including ceramic or porcelain-fused-to-metal and looks like a natural tooth. It is customised to fit your mouth and blend in with your smile.
If you are considering dental crowns to restore your smile, learn more about the types of crowns available and the process used at No Gaps Dental to help you achieve a natural-looking smile.
What Does a Crown on a Tooth Look Like: Types of Dental Crowns
A dental crown can come in different types, and the one that is right for you will depend on your individual needs. Some of the most common types of dental crowns include:
-
Temporary Crowns
Temporary CrownsA temporary dental crown is made from a plastic resin that is less durable than permanent crowns. It is only used while waiting for a permanent crown to be fabricated. Once the permanent crown is ready, the temporary one will be removed.
-
Traditional Crowns
A traditional crown is made from metal, porcelain, or ceramic using dental impression to model the tooth. It is custom-made in an off-site lab by a dental technician to fit the tooth it will cover.
-
Same-Day Crowns
A same-day dental crown is made from a digital impression of the tooth. The dentist uses a computer to create a 3D model of the tooth. Then, the crown will be milled from a solid block of ceramic material.
-
Onlays
A partial coverage dental crown is also called an onlay. It typically only covers the tooth’s chewing surface to replace damaged cusps. Partial coverage crowns retain more original tooth structure than conventional dental crowns.
What Does a Crown on a Tooth Look Like: Dental Crown Materials
The most common type of crown is made from porcelain, but it can also be made from metals, such as gold or composite resin. Each type of material has its benefits.
At No Gaps Dental, we use tooth-coloured ceramic to create realistic-looking dental crowns. Porcelain ceramic can be matched to the shade of your natural teeth for a realistic look. It is also very lustrous, reflecting light in the same way as natural teeth.
It is resistant to staining and discolouration. Porcelain crowns are most often used on the front teeth because they provide excellent cosmetic results.
Other types of dental crown materials include:
-
Zirconia Ceramic
Zirconia ceramic is a beautiful, white, lustrous material that can be matched to the shade of your teeth for a natural-looking smile. Zirconia is a strong material used for both front and back teeth. Zirconia crowns are less likely to chip or break than other crowns.
-
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM)
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns are made from a metal base covered with porcelain. They are strong and often used on the premolars and molars. But they can be less realistic in appearance than other dental crowns, especially if you experience gum recession and the metal edges begin to show.
-
Composite Resin
Composite resin is a tooth-coloured material made from acrylic plastic and glass. Composite resin has a more matte appearance than other tooth-coloured options, but it offers an affordable alternative to porcelain or zirconia.
-
Metal Alloy
Gold alloys are the most widely used type of metal for dental crowns. They are strong and durable, but they can be more expensive than other types of metal alloys. Gold alloys are most commonly used on the back teeth because they don’t offer the same aesthetic appearance as other crown materials.
CEREC Crowns
At No Gaps Dental, we offer state-of-the-art CEREC crowns.
CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) crowns are made from a solid block of zirconia ceramic material milled using computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) technology.
We scan your mouth using an intraoral camera and send the images to a software program, where a mock-up of your crown is made.
The data is sent to the milling machine, and within approximately 15 minutes, your crown is ready for placement.
There are many benefits of CEREC crowns over traditional dental crowns:
- The CEREC crown procedure is a same-day dental treatment that allows you to get a new ceramic dental crown in just one visit to our practice.
- With CEREC, there is no need for a temporary crown, and you won’t have to return for a second appointment.
- CEREC crowns are made from a high-quality ceramic material that is strong and durable. CEREC crowns can last more than 10 years with an excellent oral hygiene regimen and routine dental visits.
- They are aesthetically pleasing and can be precisely matched to the colour of your natural teeth.
Get the Smile of Your Dreams at No Gaps Dental
If you are considering dental crowns but wondering what crowns on a tooth look like, contact No Gaps Dental at any of our 15 locations for a consultation or call us on (02) 8007 6727.
No Gaps Dental is a leading provider of dental crowns in Sydney. We use the latest technology and techniques to ensure that our patients receive high-quality care. We offer a wide range of crown materials and will work with you to find a dental crown that gives you the most natural look.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
A practice-based longevity study on single-unit crowns
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29800638/
Dental Crown To Replace Teeth: Costs, Materials, Types, and More
https://www.dentaly.org/us/dental-crown-information/
What is a Temporary Crown? What Does It Look Like, and What’s It for?
https://www.dentaly.org/us/dental-crown-information/temporary-crown/