The Dental Makeover

Tooth crowns have evolved dramatically in the past hundred years, offering patients many choices that they may not have known were available. The tooth crowns provide a combination of strength and appeal to a tooth that has been invaded by the decay of a cavity. Tooth crowns are varied due to the area of the mouth they are applied and the function they will provide.  Also, there is a debate that rages on between the use of one material over another for the makeup of tooth crowns.  When complete and fixed into place, tooth crown cannot be detected from the real teeth (depending on the material used).

A gold alloy is a favored choice in the makeup of tooth crowns for several reasons, but its appeal and necessity is the topic of debate.  Gold is a compatible material for the mouth, as it offers strength, longevity, and flexibility.  Its strength is unmatched by other materials, such as palladium or nickel.  Gold will outlast other materials, needing fewer repairs over time.  The strength of gold provides protection to the base tooth of the tooth crown.  Gold expands and retracts with the natural aging of the tooth, unlike other base-metals.  With so many positive attributes, what is the problem, one may ask.  Gold is expensive.  Gold tooth crowns will cost much more than any other tooth crown, sometimes doubling or even tripling the cost of the procedure.  Although some people may disagree, porcelain offers a natural look to the mouth and blends much better with white teeth than gold.

Other metals involved in the makeup of tooth crowns include alloys (palladium) and base-metal alloys (nickel and chromium). Metal tooth crowns will hold up under the force of chewing and biting and the wear over time is lesser.  They are more likely to be used in the back of the mouth, due to the adverse color compared to teeth.

Porcelain tooth crowns blend very well with the natural color of the teeth and do not cause any adverse reactions, as do some metals.  Porcelain tooth crowns are most favorable for front teeth, as they are less likely to be used for chewing.  Porcelain is affordable and in high commodity.  More often, porcelain fused to metal tooth crowns are used to provide more strength than all-porcelain tooth crowns.

All-resin tooth crowns are another option.  They are the least expensive option and provide the aesthetic appeal of teeth.  However, they are not as durable as porcelain or metal and they are more susceptible to damage over time.

If a cavity has been revealed and the damage is beyond repair, tooth crowns can provide a great function in both eating and smiling.  It doesn’t matter which material is used, all of them will leave an individual feeling better.