Dental crown – What does a tooth crown look like
Dental crowns or caps are fixed prosthetic devices planned on structurally compromised teeth. There can be several indications for dental crown placement. The most common indication is a root canal-treated tooth. But what does a tooth crown look like? Does it look natural? These are some common queries asked from our experts at World Smiles Dental Center.
If you have similar queries, read the information provided below as we briefly explain dental crowns – brought to you by World Smiles Dental Center.
What does a tooth crown look like?
A tooth crown or a dental cap fits the natural tooth snugly from all sides. It is exactly shaped like natural teeth. Every effort goes into matching the tooth crown with the natural teeth in terms of shape, size, form, and color. The natural teeth have cusps and a distinct morphology that is exactly replicated in the tooth crown. Tooth crowns aim to imitate nature and restore the form and function of your damaged teeth.
Why is it essential to mimic nature?
Teeth are not just for aesthetics; they are essential in biting and chewing food. The way two opposing teeth come in contact with each other is called occlusion, and it decides the chewing ability of the mouth. The better chewing capacity is related to better digestion as it starts from the mouth with the enzymes in your saliva. So, the occlusion is disturbed if the tooth crown does not mimic the natural teeth. Moreover, the disturbed occlusion will lead to problems with your temporomandibular joint or the jaw joint. Over time, you will develop TMJ pain and dysfunction. Hence, the dental crown must replicate nature in terms of shape and size.
Types of Crowns – What does a tooth crown look like
Various materials are used for the fabrication of dental crowns. Let us discuss the types. Our experts at World Smiles Dental Center decide the best variety for you after comprehensively examining your case.
Metal crown
Many metals like gold, nickel, palladium, and chromium are used to fabricate the metal crown. They are stronger in terms of wear and tear resistance. The only drawback is the color of the metal, which is not aesthetically suitable for front teeth. They are most commonly planned in cases of back teeth
PFM crown
PFM, or porcelain fused to metal crowns, is the second variant of dental crowns. In this type of dental crown, the base layer of metal is covered with a porcelain layer to mask the metal color. PFM caps are more esthetic compared with all metal crowns. However, there are chances of wear and tear due to heavy biting forces. The risk of wear increases when the opposing tooth is also a dental crown.
All ceramic crowns
They are an excellent choice for front teeth and in cases of metal allergies. They mimic the natural tooth in color and shade matching, as no metal is present. They are suited for both front and back teeth.
