Crowns are part of the dental structure of teeth. They play an important aesthetic role, helping to characterize our smile in terms of shape and color, but they also have another important function, namely in terms of chewing and protecting the inside of our teeth.
So when our dental crowns become damaged, we need to replace them with so-called prosthetic crowns.
What is a prosthetic crown?
A prosthetic crown is a type of fixed prosthesis that is applied when the structure of the tooth is weakened and could disintegrate. The crown can be placed on a tooth or an implant.
It is a kind of artificial cap in the shape of the tooth that covers it and adapts to it. Cements and adhesives are used to fix it in place.
Its function is to protect the exposed interior of the tooth, restoring chewing function and the aesthetics of the patient’s smile, since the prosthetic crown resembles the natural appearance of the tooth.
What kind of crowns are there?
There are two types of dental crowns: temporary and permanent.
Temporary crowns are made of stainless steel or acrylic material and are filled with composite and proprietary cements. They are pre-made, available in various sizes and shapes, and are applied the same day the patient visits the clinic.
The permanent ones are made in all-ceramic or zirconium afterwards.
What is a prosthetic crown?
A prosthetic crown is a type of fixed prosthesis that is applied when the structure of the tooth is weakened and could disintegrate. The crown can be placed on a tooth or an implant.
It is a kind of artificial cap in the shape of the tooth that covers it and adapts to it. Cements and adhesives are used to fix it in place.
Its function is to protect the exposed interior of the tooth, restoring chewing function and the aesthetics of the patient’s smile, since the prosthetic crown resembles the natural appearance of the tooth.
What kind of crowns are there?
There are two types of dental crowns: temporary and permanent.
Temporary crowns are made of stainless steel or acrylic material and are filled with composite and proprietary cements. They are pre-made, available in various sizes and shapes, and are applied the same day the patient visits the clinic.
The permanent ones are made in all-ceramic or zirconium afterwards.
What materials are used in crowns and what are their characteristics?
Stainless steel crowns are most commonly used in pediatric dentistry to protect fragile baby teeth, for example, from cavities. The crown will be removed when the baby tooth comes out.
Zirconium or all-ceramic crowns, on the other hand, are the most commonly used option, especially for the most visible teeth.
There are also metal ceramic crowns, in which the inner structure is made of metal or iron alloys and then covered in ceramic. However, this option, like teeth, can break if subjected to strong chewing movements. Furthermore, in the event of gum recession, the metal under the ceramic can become visible.
As for acrylic resin crowns, they can be used temporarily or permanently. This material tends to wear out over time, but as these crowns are cheaper and just as aesthetically pleasing, they are a very common and popular choice.
What materials are used in crowns and what are their characteristics?
Stainless steel crowns are most commonly used in pediatric dentistry to protect fragile baby teeth, for example, from cavities. The crown will be removed when the baby tooth comes out.
Zirconium or all-ceramic crowns, on the other hand, are the most commonly used option, especially for the most visible teeth.
There are also metal ceramic crowns, in which the inner structure is made of metal or iron alloys and then covered in ceramic. However, this option, like teeth, can break if subjected to strong chewing movements. Furthermore, in the event of gum recession, the metal under the ceramic can become visible.
As for acrylic resin crowns, they can be used temporarily or permanently. This material tends to wear out over time, but as these crowns are cheaper and just as aesthetically pleasing, they are a very common and popular choice.
– REASONS FOR PLACING CROWNS
Some examples of situations in which the application of a crown may be recommended are:
─ Misaligned teeth (crowns make it possible to apparently correct the angle and inclination of one or more teeth. Thus, in the case of misaligned teeth, crowns can be made with the correct angle so that they are positioned correctly in the dental arch)
─ Severely weakened tooth enamel
─ Missing tooth (in these situations, it is necessary to place an implant in addition to the crown)
─ Extensive devitalization, with loss of tooth structure
─ Old and unsightly restorations
What are the main steps to putting on a crown?
The measurements for the dental crowns are taken.
An examination is carried out – the “metal test” – in which the metal part that supports the crown is analyzed.
An aesthetic test is carried out to confirm that the crown fits well in the patient’s mouth.
The dental crown is placed.
How are dental crowns made?
Crowns can be produced by the doctor himself, in the office (in the case of resin crowns), or in a laboratory.
Metal or ceramic dental crowns are produced in laboratories with computerized production systems, using CAD-CAM, which means that the moulds or intraoral scans are sent to the dental laboratory.
If it is a cast, it will go on to the scanning stage. In the CAD (Computer Aided Design) phase, the images are altered into vectors and worked on in a specific program for technicians trained in this type of laboratory production.
Once the design of the crown has been completed, the CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture) phase begins. The raw materials are placed in a specific cutting machine, where the crowns will be materialized.
When the materialization process is complete, the crown is painted, if necessary, and worked on until the expected aesthetic and functional result is achieved.
How are dental crowns made?
Crowns can be produced by the doctor himself, in the office (in the case of resin crowns), or in a laboratory.
Metal or ceramic dental crowns are produced in laboratories with computerized production systems, using CAD-CAM, which means that the moulds or intraoral scans are sent to the dental laboratory.
If it is a cast, it will go on to the scanning stage. In the CAD (Computer Aided Design) phase, the images are altered into vectors and worked on in a specific program for technicians trained in this type of laboratory production.
Once the design of the crown has been completed, the CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture) phase begins. The raw materials are placed in a specific cutting machine, where the crowns will be materialized.
When the materialization process is complete, the crown is painted, if necessary, and worked on until the expected aesthetic and functional result is achieved.
How is the dental crown placed on the tooth?
It all starts with an assessment appointment, where diagnostic tests are carried out to assess the patient’s state of health.
Subsequently, the tooth needs to be prepared and worn down so that it can receive the crown.
Next, the doctor will have to make a mold of the tooth, which will be sent to the dental laboratory so that the crown can be produced. Photographic records are also taken, allowing the color of the crown to be approximated to the color of the patient’s other teeth.
At this stage, a temporary crown may also be placed, which the patient will wear until they return to the office for the doctor to place the permanent crown, which will be cemented onto the tooth previously prepared for the purpose. In some cases, it may be necessary to place a spike in the root canal to ensure that the crown is fully retained.
How is the dental crown placed on the tooth?
It all starts with an assessment appointment, where diagnostic tests are carried out to assess the patient’s state of health.
Subsequently, the tooth needs to be prepared and worn down so that it can receive the crown.
Next, the doctor will have to make a mold of the tooth, which will be sent to the dental laboratory so that the crown can be produced. Photographic records are also taken, allowing the color of the crown to be approximated to the color of the patient’s other teeth.
At this stage, a temporary crown may also be placed, which the patient will wear until they return to the office for the doctor to place the permanent crown, which will be cemented onto the tooth previously prepared for the purpose. In some cases, it may be necessary to place a spike in the root canal to ensure that the crown is fully retained.
Frequently Asked Questions
When there is no tooth, the crown can only be placed on the dental implant.
In this case, it also begins with an assessment visit in which the doctor evaluates the patient, goes through an anamnesis process and uses diagnostic means such as orthopantomography and CBCT (a type of computed tomography) in order to determine which treatment method is best suited to the patient’s health conditions.
Some of the advantages associated with the use of crowns are:
- they are safe, resistant and durable;
- improving the appearance, shape and alignment of teeth.
No. The color of the crown can be changed depending on the shade of the patient’s other teeth.
Dr. Inês Santos
Paediatric Dentistry | Oral Rehabilitation
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