Dental crowns are dental replacement caps for your teeth. These replacements come in various materials and have different life spans. But, in general, if they are made right and maintained in the right way, crowns can last you a lifetime. Dentists at Dr. Taylor’s Family Dental Center offer Waterford crowns services to patients with dental concerns requiring teeth replacements, helping them preserve the integrity of their smile.
Three types of dental crowns
The first type is the all-metal variety. This type can be of base metals or noble metals. Noble metals are usually given only when the patient requests them explicitly, for example, gold crowns. The base metal variety is used to replace the back teeth because of their strength and being where the primary function is chewing your food. Also, they are very unaesthetic, so they are not used in the front teeth.
Another type of dental crown is the PFS or the porcelain fused to metal crowns. The main advantage of these crowns is that they give you both aspects of the all-metal crown.
PFM crowns have a metal coping covered with a layer of ceramic, offering aesthetics and strength.
Filing is done in the three kinds of crowns, but it is more so in PFMs because these crowns tend to be very bulky since there are two materials in the crown, plus the cement underneath it, which will help it to join with the tooth. So, a lot of plumbing is needed in PFMs. However, the crown’s longevity depends on the skill of your dentist and how you maintain it.
Which is the most popular option for dental crowns?
Ceramic crowns are the best for front teeth. Most people tend to go for that because it is the most aesthetically appealing option. For the back teeth, if you want the aesthetics, then you should go for PFMs. If you are not concerned with how they look and want to go for a lower-cost crown, then the base metal crown will do it.
How does smoking or drinking coffee impact dental crowns?
Staining is a property that is different for different people. Some people tend to get stains very quickly. If you have such a tendency, you have to be moderate in your coffee, tea, or wine consumption — things that tend to stain your teeth. Smoking is another huge factor. It leads to plop accumulation, which is the increase in bacterial activity in your mouth. These bacteria can enter your gums and can cause the loosening of those gums. Your PFL ground, the metal portion of it, can show from underneath if your gums are loosening.
Why do dental crowns maintain their color over the years, and our natural teeth with this strong enamel on top get discolored over time?
Dental crowns have the topmost glaze layer. This layer prevents the sticking of debris and any foodstuff or staining material, thus preventing it from getting stained.
Although natural teeth have a layer of enamel, it is not as resistant as the crown’s material. However, your crowns can get stained if they are chipped off, are broken, or the cement layer is broken underneath. The only condition is to ensure that your glazers are not damaged. If they are damaged, there is no guarantee of whether they will get stained.
To learn more about dental crowns, schedule an appointment with Dr. Taylors Family Dental Center.