Uses Of Dental Crowns
There are multiple types of crowns that are used in restorative dentistry. The crowns, which may be made of various materials, such as porcelain-over-metal, all-porcelain, resin, gold, or stainless steel, are often named based on the type of application for which the crowns are used. Here are a few different crowns that are used to help restore the teeth.
Implant Crowns
Implant crowns are crowns that are used to cover dental implants. After a dental implant has healed inside the bone of the jaw, it is ready to be covered by an abutment and a crown. The abutment, or connector, allows the attachment of the implant to the crown.
Once the crown is attached to the implant, the entire missing tooth is replaced. The crown restores the appearance and function of the tooth, completing the single-tooth restoration.
Bridge Crowns
Bridge crowns are parts of a dental bridge. Dental bridges usually consist of one or more false teeth that are connected to bridge crowns, which lie on each end of the appliance. The bridge crowns connect to the teeth that border the gap in the mouth that is being filled by the dental bridge.
In some cases, there is not a tooth on each side of the space left by the lost tooth or teeth. Instead, there may be one or more dental implants bordering the gap.
A bridge crown can also be placed over a dental implant. However, an abutment is used as a connector between the crown and the implant.
Before a bridge crown can be applied to a natural tooth, the size of the tooth must first be reduced to accommodate the crown. The bridge crown should sit flush with the other natural teeth in the patient's mouth so the bite is not altered.
Restorative Crowns
Restorative crowns are used to restore teeth that have been damaged. The damage could come from decay, dental grinding, blunt force, or other factors. The crowns are used to protect the teeth and fortify their structure.
When decay causes a large cavity, the restoration of the tooth may include the use of a filling and a crown. The filling replaces the missing portion of the tooth, and the crown covers the natural crown of the tooth. The crown allows the tooth to withstand normal bite pressure and prevents oral microbes from gaining access to the natural tooth material.
For more information about dental crowns and their uses, schedule an appointment with a dentist in your local area.
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