There are different situations for which Dr. Bates may recommend a crown, and Dr. Bates will recommend different types of crowns depending on your unique situation. Dental crowns are made from various materials, including all-metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-ceramic or porcelain, or resin. The material the crown is made of will dictate the length of time you may have to wait for it, whether or not you will need a temporary, and of course, the cost.
A crown is a protective cap. Possible reasons Dr. Bates may want to give you a crown include:
- To cover a tooth after a root canal
- To cover a cracked or broken tooth
- To cover a weak tooth, either because of a large filling, or because of the likelihood that it will crack or break
- To cover an implant
- To cover anchor teeth that support a bridge
CEREC crowns
CEREC crowns are made of a solid block of ceramic or resin materials. This type of crown is made right in our office during a single visit. There is no need to construct a temporary crown, take impressions for the permanent crown, and wait for the crown to be made at an off-site dental laboratory to be returned to Richard W. Bates, DDS about a month later.
This type of crown uses computer technology to take a picture of the tooth that will receive the crown, as well as the surrounding teeth. Thanks to CAD software that works with this system, Dr. Bates can design the tooth while looking in your mouth, and make sure the color matches the rest of your teeth. Also, because the crown is made from a single block of material, it is considerably stronger than many other types of crowns.
Types of traditional crowns
All metal: All-metal crowns don’t require as much tooth preparation, and therefore don’t alter the existing tooth structure as much as porcelain-fused-to-metal or ceramic crowns. They are the longest-lasting type of traditional or permanent crown, and are far less likely to break or chip. Metals used may include gold alloy, palladium, nickel, or chromium.
Porcelain fused to metal: Porcelain can be matched to your natural tooth color. A disadvantage, however, is that these types of crowns create more stress and wear on the surrounding teeth than either pure metal or resin. The metal sometimes shows through at the bottom of the tooth, near the gum line. Porcelain can chip or break, but can be made to look exactly like your real teeth.
All ceramic/all porcelain: This type of crown is most easily matched to your existing teeth. Because there is no metal, there is no risk that it will show. This type of crown is ideally suited to people who have metal allergies. The greatest disadvantage is that ceramic or porcelain may cause more wear and tear to the surrounding teeth. On the other hand, it is ideal for front teeth because they look very much like real teeth.
Resin: Resin crowns are cheaper than ceramic, porcelain, or metal crowns. This material is more prone to fracturing and causes more wear and tear on the crown itself.
Different situations warrant different types of crowns. Dr. Bates will discuss your situation and determine which type of crown you need. Our team at Richard W. Bates, DDS is happy to answer any questions you may have about crowns, CEREC, or any other aspect of your oral health.
To learn more about CEREC, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bates, please give us a call at our convenient Colonial Heights office!
