The Different Types of Dental Crowns

At Oakland Smile Dental, a dental crown is a customized, tooth-shaped cap placed over a damaged or weakened tooth to restore strength, functionality, and appearance. Made from materials such as porcelain, metal, or a combination of both, dental crowns are meticulously crafted to match the natural teeth. Commonly used to cover large cavities, protect fractured teeth, support dental bridges, or enhance the aesthetics of misshapen or discolored teeth, crowns provide a durable and long-lasting solution to preserve and improve overall oral health.

Types of Dental Crowns

Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal Crowns

These are the most common types of crowns in Oakland, CA. They consist of a metal shell with a porcelain exterior. They are durable and robust, making them ideal for back teeth. However, the porcelain portion can chip or break off over time.

Metal Crowns

These are the most robust and most durable types of crowns. They’re made of gold alloy or other metals such as nickel or chromium. Since they are made of metal, they’re usually not recommended for front teeth.

Gold Crowns

Gold crowns are solid and durable. They are also biocompatible, meaning they don’t cause allergic reactions. However, they can cause discoloration of the surrounding gums.

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia crowns are made of a solid material resistant to chipping and breaking. They’re also biocompatible so that they won’t cause any allergic reactions.

Ceramic Crowns

Ceramic crowns are made of ceramic material and are famous for front teeth. They’re very natural-looking and can be customized to match the shade of your natural teeth.

The Procedure for Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can be used to repair teeth that are broken, cracked, chipped, worn down, discolored, misaligned, uneven, or have large fillings. They can also cover dental implants, protect weak teeth from breaking, misshapen or severely discolored teeth, and cover a tooth after a root canal procedure.

Before placing a crown on your tooth, the dentist in Oakland, CA, will first numb the area with a local anesthetic. Then, the tooth will be filed down to make room for the crown. Next, our dentist will take an impression of your teeth and send it to the lab where the crown will be made. While your crown is being made, a temporary crown will be placed on your tooth to protect it. Once the permanent crown is ready, it will be bonded to your tooth using a special adhesive.

If you have a cracked or broken tooth, a crown can help restore its function and prevent it from worsening. To learn more about dental crowns, visit Oakland Smile Dental at 8105 Edgewater Dr., Suite 124, Oakland, CA 94621, or call (510) 924-7310.