Dental Crowns: What You Need to Know About Them

Dental crowns are used in several different oral appliances and procedures. A crown covers a prepared tooth, returning the tooth to a normal shape and size. Woodbury Periodontics PC in Houston, Texas, offers dental crowns as an answer to several different oral problems.

If damage is done to a tooth above the gum line, a crown can be placed to repair the tooth. If the root is damaged, a root canal may be needed.

Crowns are made of different materials and are used in all areas of the mouth on worn down or cracked teeth. Root canals, bridges, and implants depend on crowns to replace the top of a tooth or anchor a larger appliance. Some cosmetic procedures also benefit from the use of a crown.

Most patients avoid metal crowns due to the metal color, but metal can be an excellent choice for back teeth where they are not as visible. Stainless steel crowns are also silver in color but are mainly just temporary. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are rarely chosen due to their propensity to crack. The all-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns are the strongest available and color match the teeth very well. All-resin crowns are more economical but usually wear down over time.