Crowns

A crown is placed for a number of reasons

  • To withstand a large filling when there are not enough teeth left
  • To install a bridge
  • To prevent a fragile tooth from breaking
  • To repair cracked teeth
  • To cover malformed or discolored teeth
  • To cover a dental implant

Types of dental crowns:

Ceramic-metallic crowns

They are ideal for a single crown or a bridge. A metal-ceramic crown is strong enough to serve as a pillar for a bridge. Because the metal interior is covered with ceramic, the aesthetics are preserved.

All-ceramic crowns

These crowns are entirely made of ceramic and do not contain metal. They create an extremely natural appearance. They are used especially for the incisors, but they do not adapt to bridges.

Zirconia crowns

This innovative system combines the strength of a metal-ceramic crown with the aesthetics of a metal-free crown. This is due to a high-performance material, zirconium oxide (zirconia).

What is zirconium oxide? We are hearing more and more about allergic reactions to metals used in dentistry. Thus, the use of materials with the same mechanical properties as metals, but which are not allergenic, has become necessary. Zirconium oxide is, according to scientific studies, biocompatible. Another of its qualities is that it is a very poor conductor of heat, thus limiting sensitivity to hot or cold. This material is produced using the most modern CAD / CAM technology (computer-aided design and production). Zirconium oxide crowns and bridges are the most aesthetic solution. Traditional crowns are made of a layer of ceramic melted on a metal base. They therefore let little light through. On the other hand, the transparency of the ceramic placed on the zirconium oxide is identical to that of a natural tooth. As there is no metal frame, no shadow will appear on the edges of the tooth.

Gold crowns

This type of crown has excellent physical properties, and given the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of gold, these crowns are the ones that last the longest.

The crown gives the best aesthetic results. It does not color (more information can be found on ceramics under the menu « ceramic-metal crowns and bridges »). The appearance of porcelain is comparable to the enamel of the tooth, so it is the best solution to obtain an aesthetic result on the front teeth. The isolated crowns are prepared first with a mixture of aluminum oxide. For implant bridges and abutments, zirconia is used. The making of crowns on very small stumps, on very discarded teeth and in case of sagging of the occlusion is not recommended.

The most important difference between ceramic and all-ceramic crowns is that for the latter, the frame is neither metallic nor gold. For all-ceramic crowns, the framework is made entirely of aluminum oxide or zicone oxide, and is obtained following a complex process (involving scanner and 3D computer). The final shape and color of the tooth is obtained when the porcelain is poured onto the framework.

The process of making a crown:

  • grinding of the tooth in question
  • impression taking
  • temporary crown preparation
  • fabrication of the final crown in the laboratory