Dental Crowns: Types, Procedure & Care

Key Takeaways

• A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance.
• What a dental crown does

  Restores function: Allows you to bite, chew, and speak comfortably and effectively.

  Protects weakened teeth: Provides a strong outer layer to prevent further damage to cracked, broken, or heavily filled teeth.

  Supports a tooth: Provides necessary stability for teeth that have become brittle after a root canal.

  Enhances appearance: Can be used to improve the appearance of misshapen, discolored, or worn-down teeth.

• When you might need one

  Large cavities: When a cavity is too large to be fixed with a simple filling.

  Cracked or broken teeth: To hold together a tooth that has a significant crack or fracture.

  After a root canal: To protect the tooth from becoming brittle and fracturing after the procedure.

  To cover a dental implant: As the final restoration on a dental implant.

  For cosmetic reasons: To cover a severely discolored or misshapen tooth.

• The process

  Two visits: It generally takes at least two dental visits.

  First visit: The dentist prepares the tooth by removing some enamel, takes impressions, and places a temporary crown while the permanent one is made.

  Second visit: The permanent crown is fitted and cemented into place.

• Aftercare and maintenance

  Oral hygiene: Brush and floss regularly, paying special attention to the area around the crown to prevent plaque buildup.

  Avoid hard foods: Chewing on ice or other hard substances can chip or break the crown, especially porcelain ones.

  Avoid sticky foods: Avoid sticky and chewy foods like caramel or gum that could pull off a temporary crown.

  Sensitivity: You may experience some sensitivity to hot and cold after the procedure, which usually subsides. Use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth if recommended by your dentist.

  Professional check-ups: See your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings to ensure the crown and your underlying tooth remain healthy.

  Adjustments: If the crown feels too high or your bite feels off, contact your dentist, as they can easily adjust it.

Dental crowns are custom caps that restore the function, shape, strength, and appearance of damaged or weak teeth. Crown for teeth acts as a protective covering, guarding against further decay or fracture, while also improving the aesthetics of your smile.

If you had a root canal, a cracked tooth, or you simply want to improve your smile, dental crowns provide a great, long-lasting solution. Today, numerous materials are available, including metal, porcelain, fused-to-metal, all-ceramic, zirconia, and resin, each offering unique benefits tailored to your dental needs or budget.

Let’s take a look at the types of dental crowns, the process, and how to care for dental crowns properly.

What Is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers and protects a damaged tooth. It restores the tooth’s natural appearance and function. Crowns are used for fractured, chipped, worn, discolored, or misshapen teeth, and even those treated with a root canal. They help bring back a strong, straight, and aesthetically pleasing smile.

Types of Dental Crowns

There are various types of dental crowns, varying in materials used, procedures, treatment suitability, and the needs of individuals. The dental specialist will provide guidance, which means the treatment can have an actual, effective, and, hopefully, the best option for the individual for the treatment outcome.

All-Porcelain Crowns

All-porcelain crowns are workpieces made totally of ceramic materials. These are the most commonly used dental crowns, especially for front teeth, as their all-ceramic design provides a natural-looking shape, size, and color.

Porcelain material offers improved durability; as a result, both the dental specialist and patient have much more flexibility for crowning, regardless of whether it is an anterior, posterior, or molar tooth. The types of all-ceramic crowns include:

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia crowns are contemporary-style crowns made of materials that utilize premium ceramic material that offers clarity and characteristics similar to those of natural premolar teeth..

Zirconia crowns are versatile as they have ultimate strength, better than any other dental crown, excellent resistance to chewing force, and are resistant to chipping or breaking. Zirconia crowns are among the most popular treatments for a dental crown in today's marketplace.

Glass Ceramic

Various types of glass ceramic include E.max, Empress, LiSi, or Suprinity. This medium-strong crown type has a similar translucent nature to natural teeth. It can be used for crowns on the anterior and posterior teeth and is a widely used crown in CAD/CAM and "One-Day Crown" restorations.

However, glass ceramic crowns can have limitations when used on teeth with limited structure, such as short or heavily worn teeth. They are also not ideal for individuals with bruxism, as the enamel may crack or break easily.

Hybrid Ceramic

Enamic and Cerasmect hybrid-ceramic crowns combine ceramic and composite materials. They offer reasonable aesthetics, medium strength, and may be used in the restoration of anterior and posterior teeth.

Hybrid ceramics are great materials that can also be used in CAD CAM processes and for "One-Day crown restorations”. Additionally, hybrid-ceramic crowns can be utilized in minimally invasive restorations, as they are appropriate for those with less dentine.

Resin Crown

This type of crown describes the temporary plastic material used to create temporary crowns for patients to try on and evaluate their conditions while they wait for the permanent crown from the dental lab.

PFM Crown or Porcelain Fused to Metal

A PFM Crown or Porcelain Fused to Metal refers to a crown that employs a metal base structure. While PFM crowns are effective, they are less desirable because they do not appear as natural or aesthetically pleasing.

In addition, the darkened edge of the metal at the base of the crown is often noted by unsatisfied patients. Currently, zirconia crowns overcome the strength limitations of PFM crowns while also meeting a wide range of aesthetic requirements.

Full Metal Crown

Full metal crowns, specifically a Golden Crown or Palladium Crown, offer high durability, can withstand chewing force, and are not easily broken. These crowns do not possess a top layer with ceramic components. Metal crowns are alternative types of crowns that provide full features in terms of functionality and aesthetics, depending on the preference and individual needs.

Stainless Steel Crowns: SSC

Stainless steel crowns are already finished crowns composed of stainless steel. Dental specialists prefer to use this crown for young patients with baby teeth. When permanent teeth erupt, this type of crown will naturally fall off.

The Dental Crown Procedure

Crown treatment in a digital dental lab can conclude in as few as 3 visits, subject to each patient's specific dental health, dental goals, and type of dental crown they will be using.

1st Appointment: Treatment Plan with a Dental Specialist

• Initial consultation to discuss concerns, discover the purpose of crown treatment, and obtain personal requirements for the custom dental crown with the dental specialist.
• The dental specialist takes initial oral X-rays to assess teeth and gum issues (e.g., tooth decay or root canal inflammation. If detected, it will receive treatment before the crown.
• Before getting the crown fabricated, any noted issues would be treated. The patient will be involved in decisions about the crown shape, size, and color as the dentist plans the treatment, offers treatment options, and explains the step-by-step treatment process.
• Once the patient and dentist come to a common understanding about having a crown fabricated, the dentist will prepare the teeth for the crown by grinding them.
• The dental specialist uses CAD/CAM digital technology to scan the teeth or take an impression to make, if needed, to quickly prepare a temporary crown for the patient to wear while waiting for the permanent crown.
• After the appointment, the dentist shares the patient's dental data with the dental lab staff to fabricate the crown pieces in the lab.

2nd Appointment: Placing the Permanent Crown (Approx. 5-7 Days Later)

• The specialist evaluates the results of wearing crowns to determine whether they meet the patient's needs. Otherwise, the dentist may have to adjust the teeth a little more.
• The dental specialist checks the occlusion of the teeth and crowns and their seamless edges, enamel, etc.
• If the patient is satisfied with the final permanent crown, then the dental specialist will then 'seat' the crown onto the prepared tooth. The treatment is complete.

3rd Appointment: Symptom Follow-up and Treatment Outcome Assessment

The dental specialist schedules a follow-up appointment with the patient to assess any symptoms that may arise, such as possible tooth sensitivity or inadequate occlusion, and to assess patient satisfaction with the treatment outcome.

How to Care for a Dental Crown?

Patients getting crown work done should keep good hygiene to reduce the risk of infection and follow the instructions here:

Cautions While Awaiting the Crown

• Do not eat hard foods on the side of your mouth where the tooth has a temporary crown.
• Refrain from chewing gum.
• The dentist may ask you to refrain from flossing in some cases.

Crowns: Aftercare

• Brush your teeth gently and thoroughly at least bi-daily to reduce the risk of infection.
• Do not bite hard-textured food or chew ice with your teeth to avoid damaging the crown.
• Do not chew gum, solid objects, or sticky food
• If practicable, chew food on the teeth without a crown.
• When flossing, be careful not to touch the edge of the crown when flossing adjacent to the gums before the tooth is fully healed.
• If you have swelling and pain, take the medication prescribed by the dentist.
• If you have severe pain or an infection, go back to the dentist.

When Should You Consider a Dental Crown?

You may need a root canal tooth crown, or a protective cap if you have:

• A cracked, weakened, or worn-down tooth.
• A large filling that compromises tooth structure.
• A misshapen or severely discolored tooth.
• A dental bridge that needs anchoring.

Can Dental Crowns Fix Misaligned Teeth? Let’s Clear the Air

There’s a misconception that dental crowns can fix misalignment or bite issues. They can indirectly hide or cover up very mild issues. But, they totally don’t resolve them. For that, you need clear aligners or braces.

Instead of covering a tooth, these options gently shift your teeth into ideal positions, enhancing both function and aesthetics naturally. But, between the two, clear aligners can help you achieve a straighter, healthier smile comfortably and discreetly. All from the convenience of your home.

Final Thoughts: Restore, Align, and Smile with Confidence

Dental crowns remain a cornerstone of modern restorative dentistry, protecting weakened teeth, restoring structure, and enhancing aesthetics with long-lasting results. They not only rebuild damaged enamel but also restore bite strength and confidence, giving patients a functional, natural-looking smile. With options like porcelain and ceramic, crowns blend seamlessly with surrounding teeth for a flawless finish.

For those seeking alignment rather than restoration, Aligner32 Clear Aligners provide a discreet, comfortable way to perfect your smile without braces. Together, these advancements reflect dentistry’s true goal: restoring health, beauty, and lasting confidence.