A dental crown is a prosthesis that protects and covers a tooth (or an implant) entirely. The aim is to restore both aesthetic and chewing functions effectively. A dental crown is actually one of the dental prostheses. Think of it like a veneer that the dentist applies to a tooth damaged by cavities, fractures, or other problems. In all these cases, using a crown is beneficial in providing the correct chewing function and obtaining an effective aesthetic result.
| Operation Duration | Length of hospitalization | Recovery Time |
| 1-2 visits | Outpatient | 1-2 weeks |
A crown procedure can be made both in the case of a healthy natural root and in cases where an actual dental implant is required. A crown is a form of a fixed prosthesis that restores more significant parts of the tooth. This process is placed on the remaining portion of the broken tooth and adhered to this area.
This process uses when tooth decay or an accidental injury has caused such severe damage to the tooth that a simple filling is no longer a possible cure. At the same time, a filling fix to the tooth, and more significant parts of the tooth replaces by a crown. The tooth’s original shape is restored by duplicating essential functions of the tooth (such as the tubercle). Thus, normal chewing, speech, and aesthetic appearance provide.
However, in most cases, your recovery period after dental treatment only takes a few days. Oral tenderness is normal for the first few days after treatment. Depending on the material and oral hygiene, the crown will last an average of 5 to 10 years.
What is a Dental Crown?
The dental crown is one of the forms of fixed dentures, and experts have preferred it for dentistry for many years. Thanks to optimized processes and materials, the crown today doesn’t differ much from natural teeth and harmoniously fits into the overall picture of the tooth structure.
In the case of prosthetics, the term crown refers to the artificial replacement of a damaged natural crown. If a tooth is severely damaged, for example, by caries or an accident, simple fillings are usually no longer possible. The dentist should then fit decayed or broken teeth with a crown. This includes parts or all of the tooth.
Therefore, it’s placed on the tooth like a hat. In this way, it restores the original tooth shape and, thus, stability, aesthetics, and chewing function. A firmly fixed root and healthy gums are necessary prerequisites for this process.
Who Should Have Dental Crown Procedure?
Dentists usually recommend a crown if caries has accidentally damaged the tooth’s natural crown, so you can no longer restore it with a simple dental filling or inlay. The crown completes the missing parts of your remaining tooth and reproduces your original shape. Sometimes we may also recommend providing an artificial crown if an incorrect position in your teeth needs to be corrected or your tooth doesn’t have a support area.
Other findings for a crown are loose, discolored, or missing teeth. Because even if an implant is fixed in the jaw after the complete loss of a tooth, a crown must make later, which covers the protruding metal pin of the implant and acts as a chewing surface. Dental crowns are also often used to fix a denture. However, this procedure should not perform on teeth with dental nerves or dead and severely bent teeth. The crown protects your tooth from further destruction, allows you to bite vigorously again, and looks good.
What are the typical dental problems for which a dental crown is a viable option?
- Severely damaged tooth as a result of advanced caries: When you neglect the care of your teeth and skip periodic visits, caries aren’t treated on time and can cause profound damage to your teeth. The specialist should devitalize your tooth and reconstruct the damaged part when this happens. If your tooth is severely damaged, it will be necessary to resort to a crown, as reconstruction teeth may not withstand the pressure of chewing and breaking again.
- Broken or chipped tooth after an intense trauma: You can still resort to this procedure when your teeth have suffered a severe fracture and tooth reconstruction is insufficient.
- Particularly when the tooth is damaged but salvageable: Dentistry is increasingly focused on preserving natural teeth, and therefore you may prefer a dental crown and, consequently, a dental implant over tooth extraction.
- Thin or damaged tooth enamel: Tooth enamel is a kind of protection for your teeth, and when it is broken or too thin, the dentist may recommend crown treatment as a preservative for the tooth.
- After devitalization: It knows that a lifeless tooth becomes more fragile and more prone to fracture. This is precisely why the crown may be the right solution to preserve it for as long as possible.
- To cover the dental implant: Crowns can also use to cover the dental implant. The implant consists of a titanium endosseous post, an abutment, and a dental capsule.
What are the Types of Dental Crowns?
Different types of dental crowns are available for optimum care with tried and tested dentures. Depending on the size of the existing defect in the tooth and the patient’s individual needs, full or partial crown placement is required. Crowns also differ in their function and the different materials available. In general, examine for types of dental crowns:
Ceramic crown
The name of this crown initially confuses many patients. Because, as the name suggests, a ceramic crown isn’t made entirely of ceramic. The interior reinforces with a metal frame, usually made of gold alloy. In technical jargon, this crown is also called the composite metal-ceramic crown. Additionally, unlike the zirconia crown, the ceramic crown doesn’t fit into the natural tooth row as quickly as the metal core often shines.
Metal crown
This type of crown, produced using metal in the complete sense, uses titanium, gold, or chromium-nickel combinations as a material. Although they aren’t preferred much because they don’t look beautiful, they offer a durable restoration opportunity for those with different problems, such as bruxism. In addition, some patients are allergic to metal or complain of a metallic taste in their mouth. The dentist doesn’t have to grind any dental material and can preserve a more significant portion of the correct tooth. They’re also relatively inexpensive compared to other crowns.
Zirconium crown
This type of crown, also called an all-ceramic crown, has several advantages. Unlike other types, it makes of zirconium oxide, not a metal alloy. This chemical is potent and aesthetic. It also doesn’t trigger any allergies, and even professionals cannot distinguish the finished zirconium crown from the natural mask at first glance. The dental laboratory produces a ceramic core from zirconium dioxide and fires the ceramic coating onto it. In the next step, the color and shape of the zirconium crown adapt to the affected tooth and adjacent teeth in the smallest detail. As with other types of crowns, the dentist grinds the natural tooth and sticks the zirconium crown on it.
Composite resin crown
This crown is also made of metal but partially or entirely covered with a tooth-colored layer. Ceramics are almost always used for cladding the crown, but the dentist can also use plastic. This species isn’t very hardy and changes color quickly. This type of crown is primarily used in the visible area, that is, on the incisors or the front of the molars.
Metal-supported porcelain crown
This crown is obtained by fusing porcelain on metal; long preferred.
What Will You Encounter During a Dental Crowns Consultation?
You will consult with the dentist for a dental crown in the US. This operation performs in at least two or three sessions. The dentist will examine your mouth and teeth during the initial consultation to assess whether you need a crown. This consultation is also very likely to include x-rays. The dentist will need to check whether the structure of your tooth supports a crown before proceeding with the treatment.
The dentist will need to remove a small amount of tooth enamel at another stage. This is so that the cap fits snugly in your mouth and your restored tooth is the same size as the other teeth. After removing part of the tooth, the specialist will also take an impression of your teeth.
The specialist sends the impression to the dental laboratory to manufacture the crown. A dentist will match the crown’s color to the other teeth in your mouth. Depending on your damaged tooth and why you need a crown, the dentist may even fit a temporary crown until your final crown is ready. If you have a temporary crown, you should avoid eating foods that are too sticky or hard.
What are the Risks of the Dental Crowns Process?
A crown can usually save your severely damaged teeth and protect them from cavities. But it also has risks. Some natural tooth material must first be ground to fit the crown. This work can damage the nerve of the tooth. It is even more common for bruises to recur if the crown isn’t fully seated. Of course, proper care is very important for the crown’s longevity.
The edge of this procedure that meets the gums is compassionate and requires special care. You can also care for the spaces between teeth with floss and an interdental brush. With proper oral hygiene, a crown can last 5 to 10 years. Providing an artificial dental crown is part of the routine of dental practice. However, the procedure is associated with certain risks. For dental crown risks in general, as follow:
- Allergies or intolerances
- Tooth or gum infections
- Nerve injuries during treatment
- Dental neuritis
- Bleeding
- Loosening or damage to the dental crown
- Discomfort when biting
- Sensitivity to cold and hot stimuli
- Gum scar
- Poor fit and aesthetics
How Should You Prepare for Dental Crown Procedure?
Some preparation requires before a dental crown fits. First, the dentist thoroughly cleans your existing caries using local anesthesia.
Preliminary
The specialist covers the areas close to the tooth’s nerve with unique material. Next, the doctor places a filling to internally stabilize the tooth to protect the material and allow better crown retention.
Tooth preparation
After these preparatory measures, the actual preparation of the tooth takes place. The dentist will remove all enamel coating (including healthy, disease-free dental material) as the crown will fit over your teeth. In order not to permanently damage the temperature-sensitive dental nerve, preparation makes with burs under constant water cooling. The resulting material is modeled according to the original tooth’s shape, leaving a dentin layer as smooth and thick as possible on the sensitive tooth nerve.
Impression
The permanent dental crown makes in a dental laboratory. Therefore, the doctor must sensitively transfer the situation to the mouth there. Usually, the doctor orally shares it with the laboratory with precise silicone-based impressions, and then the specialist fills it with an exceptional hard cast. This way, the dental technician can obtain a very accurate picture of the mouth.
The more precisely this operation is performed, the better the successive crown will fit. For the correct height of the crown, the dental technician also needs a measurement of the opposite jaw and a determination of the patient’s bite position.
Until the temporary crown is ready
You should protect the prepared tooth against external influences until the permanent crown is in place. Otherwise, it would be excruciating to breathe, as the pain-sensitive dentin lacks the enamel that covers it. In addition, a well-closed temporal tooth protects against nerve infections and provides significant support for the bite. Temporary crowns, mostly made of plastic, are fabricated and bonded to tooth stumps inside and outside the patient’s mouth.
How is Dental Crown Procedure Performed?
Dental crown treatment in the US takes place in a few steps. Initially, the dentist examines the dental nerve’s functionality and the tooth root’s stability. As part of the preliminary examination, an x-ray of the affected tooth is sometimes taken and evaluated. The dentist will prepare your tooth for a crown treatment as detailed above. Treatment complete in 2 or 3 sessions:
- Anesthesia
You will receive local anesthesia for a smooth and comfortable treatment. Thus, you can have your treatment without any pain or ache.
- First session: Taking impressions
For the new crown to fit seamlessly into the patient’s tooth structure, your dentist will take an impression of the tooth size with an impression material (usually containing silicone). Once the impression material has hardened, your specialist uses it as the basis for creating a custom-made crown. Your specialist uses a lifelike tooth model to ensure that the upper and lower jaws fit perfectly at the crown. This is important because even the most minor irregularities on the biting surfaces can be highly annoying and interfere with chewing.
As additional information, the dentist determines the individual white shade of adjacent teeth. Thus, the finished dental crown blends into the immediate surroundings as inconspicuously as possible. The patient is given a temporary plastic crown to protect the dental stump during production.
- Second session: Placement and gluing
At the second appointment, your dentist removes the temporary materials. Then the specialist thoroughly removes remaining caries. Your doctor puts on the new crown and fixes it. If necessary, your specialist can also make minor adjustments to the crowns. The dentist can also use this opportunity to determine if the crown is causing a feeling of pressure or pain. It would be best if you usually had a routine check-up sometime after treatment.
How Long Does a Dental Crown Last?
There is no estimated lifetime for a crown. Like dental implants, it all depends on possible unforeseen events and the care you give your mouth and teeth. As an indicator, if you take care of your teeth and professionally clean them every six months, the life of the dental crown is approximately 5 to 10 years.
You should note that in addition to oral care, the duration of this procedure also varies according to the person’s nutritional habits, as in other prostheses. However, to prolong the life of the dental crown, you should pay attention to the following:
- Proper oral hygiene is always essential. It’s always good to brush your teeth after every meal.
- It is better not to use sugar and its derivatives.
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Avoid smoking
- Limit consumption of sugary drinks
What to Consider After Dental Crown Procedure?
After the procedure, it is essential to follow the instructions provided by your dentist to ensure that your mouth heals properly and that your dental crown stays in good condition. Here are a few things to consider after a dental crown procedure:
- Pain management: Your dentist will provide instructions for managing any pain or discomfort after the procedure. Follow these instructions and take any prescribed medications as directed.
- Oral hygiene: Maintaining good oral hygiene after a dental crown procedure is essential to prevent infection and ensure that your mouth heals properly. Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and use an antimicrobial mouthwash.
- Diet: Avoid eating hard, chewy, or sticky foods for a few days after the procedure to allow your mouth to heal. Soft foods and liquids recommend until you feel comfortable eating solid foods again.
- Follow-up care: Your dentist will likely schedule a follow-up appointment to check on the healing of your mouth and the condition of your dental crown. Be sure to attend this appointment as scheduled.
- Protect your crown: Avoid biting down on complex objects or using your teeth to open packaging, as this can damage your dental crown. Wear a mouthguard to protect your crown and other teeth if you play sports.
What is the Recovery Process After Dental Crown?
With good oral hygiene, crowns will last longer. Therefore, brush your teeth regularly. Use dental floss and interdental brushes between teeth. This prevents inflammation and prevents tooth decay. We also recommend professional teeth cleaning once or twice a year.
Also, observe the edges of the dental crown and gums. Then you will notice the changes in time, and you can discuss them with your dentist. You should make sure to use a low abrasive toothpaste for plastic coatings.
Otherwise, there may be rapid flashing of the underlying metal. Abrasives are small cleaning agents often found in whitening kinds of toothpaste. Dental crowns’ durability is unpredictable but usually lasts 5 to 10 years. But crowns can last longer with proper care:
- You should do your oral care completely.
- It would be best if you considered your dentist’s recommendations.
- You should not forget about professional teeth cleaning.
- It would be best if you went for regular check-ups at the dentist.
- You should wear a protective splint for bruxism.
How Long After Dental Crown Will You See the Final Result?
The success of a dental crown depends, first of all, on the dentist’s ability to determine the correct color of the patient’s teeth and then on the dental technician’s ability to reproduce the same color and its characteristics. More precisely, the specialist will have to recreate not only the proportions and shapes of the tooth but also personalize the crown to adapt it to each patient’s dental physiognomy.
The final results will be perfect, and you will be satisfied with this treatment. In the US, the dental crown will overlook, and no one will notice that a dental crown has replaced the natural tooth. However, your teeth can always be prone to decay. Plaque and calculus accumulate in the gum line and create periodontal diseases and cariogenic processes where dental intervention is required. For this reason, you should have your teeth checked every 6 or 12 months.
Each person is unique and presents a different clinical situation that must be thoroughly evaluated. It is essential for medical action to have a clear picture of one’s condition regarding oral health and the treatments needed to restore it.
How Much Does a Dental Crown Cost?
Various factors determine the cost of dental crowns. The dentist determines the crown type based on the tooth defect size. The type of crown and the materials used in the treatment can also increase costs. For example, a ceramic crown or a zirconium crown costs different. The treatment amount adds to the material costs and dental laboratory costs.
In Which Countries is the Cheapest Dental Crown Procedure Performed?
The cost of dental crown procedures can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the location, the type of crown used, and the complexity of the process. Dental crown procedures are generally less expensive in countries with lower labor and material costs.
It’s important to note that the cost of a crown procedure shouldn’t be the only factor to consider when choosing a dentist. It is also essential to assess the quality of care and the provider’s reputation. Here are the dental crown costs by country:
| COUNTRY | COST |
| United States | $1000 to $2500 |
| Brazil | $800 to $2000 |
| China | $1200 to $2500 |
| Japan | $1250 to $2600 |
| South Korea | $1000 to $2100 |
| India | $490 to $1100 |
| Argentina | $750 to $1950 |
| Mexico | $350 to $1400 |
| Germany | $1100 to $1900 |
| Turkey | $150 to $850 |
| Colombia | $400 to $1750 |
| Italy | $1150 to $2000 |
| France | $1150 to $2100 |
| Spain | $1000 to $2000 |
| Taiwan | $700 to $1900 |
| Venezuela | $550 to $1200 |
| United Kingdom | $1100 to $2350 |
| Netherlands | $1000 to $2000 |
| Egypt | $800 to $2000 |
| Peru | $900 to $2150 |
| AVERAGE COST | $150 to $2600 |
Attention: For Information Purposes Only
Please note that the content of this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always consult a qualified dentist for personal guidance.
References
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0109564115005138
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1742706109000026
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0109564105001624
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0109564104000831
https://ceramics.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1551-2916.2007.01585.x
