March 18, 2022 by Admin 0 Comments

All About Dental Crowns and the Different Types of Crowns

Dental crowns and the different types of crowns

Dental crowns are a popular dental procedure used to restore the appearance and function of a tooth. A dental crown is a cap placed over a tooth to cover the damaged area or strengthen a tooth. There are many different types of dental crowns available, and each type of crown has its benefits and drawbacks. This article will explain the different dental crown types and the pros and cons of each type.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the topic.

What are Dental Crowns and Why They are Important

Dental crowns are like helmets for your teeth. They go over the top of your teeth to protect them from getting damaged. Crowns can be made from different materials, like gold, silver, or porcelain. They can be used to fix broken or cracked teeth or cover up a dental implant.

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” placed over a tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Dental crowns are essential because they protect the teeth from further damage and help keep them strong and healthy.

Types of Dental Crowns

There are three main types of dental crowns:

  • All-metal
  • All-ceramic
  • Porcelain-fused-to-metal.

While metal crowns are made of a single piece of metal, all-ceramic crowns are made entirely of ceramic materials. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are a combination of both ceramic and metal materials.

Let’s see each type in detail.

1) All-metal Dental Crowns

All-metal dental crowns are made of a single material. They are usually made of gold but can also be made of other metals, such as silver, platinum, or palladium. They are strong and durable and can last many years with proper care. They are typically used in areas of the mouth that experience a lot of pressure, such as the molars.

Pros:

  • Very strong and durable
  • Very resistant to corrosion and wear

Cons:

  • Often expensive
  • It can be difficult to color match with the surrounding teeth
  • It can be a bit too heavy for some people

2) All-ceramic

All-ceramic dental crowns are made from a ceramic material designed to look and feel like natural teeth. They are often used to restore the appearance of front teeth that have been damaged by chips, cracks, or stains. They are considered the most aesthetic option for crowns and can match the color of the patient’s natural teeth. This type of crown is often chosen for patients who have allergies to metals.

Pros:

  • Look more natural than other types
  • Less likely to cause tooth sensitivity
  • Lower thermal expansion coefficient than metal dental crowns, so they are less likely to cause cracks in teeth

Cons:

  • More prone to breaking than metal dental crowns
  • May chip or shatter if hit hard enough

3) Porcelain-fused-to-metal

A porcelain-fused-to-metal crown is a dental crown of two parts: a metal base and a porcelain overlay. This type is created by bonding a layer of porcelain to the surface of a metal crown. Because they are made of porcelain and metal, these crowns are less likely to chip or break than all-porcelain crowns.

Pros:

  • Durable
  • Resistance to staining
  • Ability to mask tooth discoloration

Cons:

  • The metal portion may be visible while smiling, which can be visually unappealing
  • A bit brittle

Types of dental crowns

Things You Need to Know Before a Dental Crown Procedure

There are a few things to know before going in for a dental crown procedure. First, the tooth needs to be prepped and an impression taken. This is so the crown can be made to fit perfectly. You may also need to have a temporary crown put on in the meantime.

Second, you may experience some sensitivity after the prep work is done. Also, it’s important to follow all of the dentist’s instructions after the procedure is completed to ensure proper healing.

Five Crucial Questions to Ask Your Dentist

  • What is the procedure involved?
  • What are the risks and potential complications?
  • What is the expected recovery time?
  • What are the costs involved?
  • What are the alternatives to a dental crown?

Five Common Dental Crown Care Tips

  • Avoid biting down on anything too hard, as this can cause the crown to break or chip.
  • Avoid drinking anything hot or acidic directly after the procedure, as they can weaken the bonding material that holds the crown in place.
  • Avoid eating foods that are sticky or chewy.
  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day.
  • Visit your dentist for a check-up at least twice a year.

October 14, 2021 by Admin 0 Comments

When Should You Go to an Emergency Dentist?

When you’re facing a dental emergency, it can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially when it comes to finding a qualified emergency dentist on such short notice.

Some people avoid dentists or doubt that their predicament warrants an emergency appointment during urgent situations like these.

However, not seeing a dentist when you’re experiencing a true emergency can threaten your health and cause permanent damage to your mouth.

Check out these dental emergencies to learn when you need professional help.

Emergency dentist

 

You Have Severe Tooth Pain

Severe toothaches can hint at more significant dental issues. They can indicate tooth decay, and if you are in persistent excruciating pain, you need to see an emergency dentist as quickly as possible.

Addressing it right away will allow your dentist to identify any possible infections and get to the root of the problem before additional damage happens.

You Have an Infection

A tooth infection, or abscess, can occur anywhere in the mouth. Untreated abscesses can cause serious health problems and spread the infection to different parts of the mouth and body.

If caught in the early stages, an emergency dentist will drain the abscess, get rid of the infection, and possibly save your tooth with a root canal. Otherwise, it will need to be pulled.

Some common symptoms of a tooth abscess include:

  • Swelling in your cheeks and face
  • Fever
  • Pulsing tooth pain
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Teeth sensitivity

If you experience any combination of these symptoms, you should contact a reputable emergency dentist right away before the situation gets any worse.

You Have a Broken Tooth

Fractured teeth are a serious dental emergency. This type of injury is most often due to incidents like car accidents and sports injuries. When you break your teeth, it is a harrowing, painful experience.

Serious injuries can result in the exposure of dentin and pulp. If this happens, you will need immediate treatment to remedy the fracture. An emergency dentist will use sedatives to reduce oral pain and may decide to extract the tooth.

Your Tooth Has Been Knocked Out

When you lose your permanent teeth (tooth avulsion), you need to see an emergency dentist as quickly as possible. This is because there’s limited time from the moment your tooth leaves its socket to reimplant it successfully.

A good rule of thumb is to seek treatment within an hour of the avulsion. You can make things much easier for your dentist by:

  • Only handling the part of the tooth that’s typically exposed
  • Cleaning the tooth with water or milk
  • Re-inserting the tooth, if possible, and holding it in place

Doing these things and being careful not to introduce bacteria to the tooth can increase the likelihood of successful re implantation.

Emergency Dental Procedures

Depending on the type of emergency you’re experiencing, your dentist will educate you on the services available to you. The most common emergency dental treatments offered are root canals, fillings, tooth extractions, and crowns.

Root Canals

Root canals treat the center of the tooth, the most sensitive area. Your dentist may recommend this procedure if they determine the center to be inflamed, infected, or badly decayed. They’ll make this decision based on severity and x-ray scans.

Emergency dental procedures

Fillings

Tooth decay and broken or cracked teeth are reasons why composite fillings are offered as emergency dental services. This procedure prevents further decay of the tooth and wards off infection. It can also improve the appearance of your teeth.

Tooth Extractions

When preserving your tooth would cause further damage to your health, your dentist will opt for a tooth extraction. Your emergency dentist will permanently remove the tooth from its socket, and you will have the option of leaving the space empty or replacing it with a bridge or implant.

Crowns

Crowns support weakened, cracked, and broken teeth. These porcelain pieces fit right over your existing tooth, typically in combination with other dental procedures like bridges and root canals.

Contact an Emergency Dentist in Shelby Township, MI

The pain and anxiety that come with handling dental emergencies can be challenging, but being seen by an experienced emergency dentist doesn’t have to be.

At Dr. Timothy Roney DDS & Associates, we offer same-day emergency appointments to existing and new clients in Shelby Township, MI. We have over 21 years of experience helping people achieve the smiles they deserve. Let us help you.

If you’re looking for an emergency dentist in Shelby Township, MI, call our team at Dr. Timothy Roney DDS & Associates today for an appointment!