Types of Dental Crowns
Several materials offer different advantages for dental crowns, allowing customized solutions based on the tooth’s location, your aesthetic preferences, and functional requirements.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns combine a metal substructure for strength with an outer porcelain layer for a natural appearance. The metal core provides exceptional durability, particularly valuable for molars that endure significant chewing forces. While these crowns offer an excellent balance of strength and aesthetics, they may show a dark line near the gumline if gum recession occurs over time.
For optimal aesthetics, particularly on front teeth, all-ceramic crowns provide an unmatched natural appearance. These metal-free restorations allow light transmission similar to natural teeth, creating lifelike translucency. Advanced ceramics like zirconia and lithium disilicate offer improved strength compared to earlier porcelain options, providing sufficient durability for most situations.
At Floss Lincoln Park, we offer advanced same-day crown technology that transforms the traditional multi-appointment process into a single-visit experience. This system uses digital scanning to create precise 3D models of your teeth without messy conventional impressions. Our in-office milling unit crafts your permanent crown from a solid block of high-quality ceramic material while you wait, eliminating temporary crowns and return visits.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns provide numerous advantages beyond simply restoring damaged teeth. Understanding these benefits helps explain why crowns remain one of the most common and valuable restorative treatments in modern dentistry.
Key benefits of dental crowns include:
- Complete protection for vulnerable teeth against further damage
- Restoration of proper chewing function and bite alignment
- Natural appearance that blends seamlessly with surrounding teeth
- Reinforcement for teeth following root canal treatment
- Long-term durability with proper care and maintenance
- Preservation of remaining healthy tooth structure
- Prevention of tooth extraction in many cases
- Ability to correct multiple aesthetic concerns simultaneously
- Support for adjacent teeth, preventing shifting and misalignment
- Improved comfort when speaking and eating
With advances in materials and technology, today’s crowns provide exceptional results that combine durability with natural aesthetics. The same-day options available at our practice further enhance the convenience and efficiency of this valuable treatment.
The Crown Process
Understanding the crown process helps you know what to expect during your treatment, whether receiving a traditional or same-day restoration. The conventional approach typically requires two appointments spread over a couple of weeks. During your first visit, the tooth receives careful preparation to make room for the crown while preserving maximum healthy structure. A temporary crown protects your tooth while a dental laboratory fabricates your permanent restoration.
Our advanced CEREC® technology allows complete crown treatment in a single appointment lasting approximately 90 minutes to two hours. The preparation phase resembles the traditional approach, with careful reduction of the tooth to accommodate the crown. Instead of conventional impressions, a small intraoral camera captures precise digital images of the prepared tooth. Specialized software transforms these images into a detailed 3D model, which your doctor uses to design your custom crown.
Once finalized, the design transmits to our in-office milling unit, which crafts your crown from a solid ceramic block. After milling, the crown receives final coloration and glazing before being permanently bonded to your tooth—all in one appointment.
Caring for Your Crown
With proper care, dental crowns can provide many years of reliable service. Regular brushing and flossing remain essential, with particular attention to the margin where your crown meets the natural tooth at the gumline. This junction requires thorough cleaning to prevent decay in the underlying tooth or gum inflammation around the restoration.
While modern crowns offer excellent durability, certain habits can affect their longevity. Avoiding extremely hard foods, ice chewing, and using teeth as tools helps prevent damage. For patients who grind or clench their teeth, a nightguard provides valuable protection for both natural teeth and restorations. Regular dental check-ups allow the monitoring of your crown’s condition and the health of the underlying tooth.
