Choosing the Right Crown: Options and Materials for a Perfect Fit

A dental crown is a cap that repairs, strengthens, and improves the appearance of damaged teeth. There are various types of crowns made in different ways. So, choosing the right crown can be tricky. Read on to learn about dental crowns in New York, NY, including their fabrication and how to choose the right crown.

How to Choose the Right Dental Crown

Dental crowns are made from different materials. They are metal alloys, ceramic, porcelain, resin and porcelain fused with metal. Some crowns are made and placed in a day, while others take a few weeks. Below are tips from the pediatric dentist in Upper East Side to help you choose crowns for your child or yourself.

• Determine the reason for getting crowns. Porcelain and resin crowns improve aesthetics, while metal crowns stabilize a tooth.
• Compare the costs of different crowns to pick the one within your budget.
• Consider the appearance you want to achieve after getting implants. Tooth-colored crowns like porcelain and resin are attractive and look natural.
• If you have bruxism, you need strong metal crowns to withstand pressure.
• Consider the time of treatment. If you need to have limited time, you should consider using the CEREC system. It helps you to fix your teeth in a day.

What Is Crown Fabrication?

It is the procedure of designing and creating a dental crown. Crown fabrication requires a lot of planning and technical expertise. This is because the cap must look natural, fit over the treated tooth perfectly and blend seamlessly with the surrounding teeth. There are two fabrication methods used to make dental crowns: traditional and modern.

Traditional Crown Fabrication Process

This is a standard procedure for creating dental crowns that involve the steps below.

1. The dentist will file your tooth to enable them to create a crown that fits over it perfectly.
2. They will take an impression of your teeth from the upper and lower arches.
3. They use the impression to create a mold which serves as a model plaster. It helps the technicians designing the crown to make changes fast and easily.
4. Next, they make a wax pattern on the mold and mark the margins of the tooth that needs a crown.
5. Then the technician pours the material making the crown into the wax mold. They use a baking or pressing machine to solidify the material into the form of the tooth being crowned.
6. The dentist will choose an ideal shade for the crown and begin layering the crown. Finally, the dentist will polish the cap using a coat of acrylic polymer for a realistic look.

Modern Crown Fabrication Process

It is a process that utilizes CEREC Technology, which allows the dentist to fix you with a crown in a day. This digital dental technology for fabricating dental crowns in New York, NY, is preferred. It is faster, more accurate and has more realistic results. The steps of the modern crown fabrication procedure are easy.

1. First, the dentist will prepare your teeth for crown fabrication.
2. Then the dentist will take a digital scan of your teeth. They will import the images to a computer and create a virtual crown design.
3. The dentist will examine the design, make any necessary changes and send it to the milling machine.
4. The technician at the dental lab will prepare the dental printer. They will use the sent design to build up and print the crown.
5. They will clean the fabricated crown and air dry it using compressed air.
6. Finally, they cure the tooth cap and contour it as needed. Your crown is ready for placement.

Habits to Avoid That May Damage the Crown

Once the orthodontist near you sets you up with a crown, you must maintain it properly. You can do so by following the tips below.

• Avoid foods that can damage or dislodge the tooth cap. They include ice cubes, extremely hard nuts, popcorn kernels, and sticky foods like taffy and caramels.
• Brush your crowned teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Floss between your teeth and at the margin of the crown once daily.
• Wear a custom-made mouthguard if you grind or clench your teeth.
• Get regular dental cleanings and exams from the team at Smile UP NY. They ensure the cap is in excellent condition and decay does not occur underneath it.