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Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are one of the most used techniques to recover dental pieces severely damaged by replacing the damaged natural tissue with special materials that emulate natural teeth.

They are mainly used in cases in which the external part of the tooth (natural crown) has been affected by large cavities or fractures that render the usefulness of calzas or even of the dental inlays

In this article we will explain in greater detail what dental crowns are, their importance in the world of dentistry, when it is necessary to use them, phases of treatment, as well as tips that will allow you to make an excellent decision for your health. oral health.

dental crowns in Quito Ecuador

What are Dental Covers or Crowns?

Dental crowns are structures made of different materials that completely replace the upper part of a tooth or molar that has been seriously affected.

They have the color and anatomical shape of the original tooth, so they are practically imperceptible to the naked eye.

The materials from which it is made are increasingly similar to natural tooth enamel, mainly in terms of hardness.

Dental crown in mold
Dental Crown in mold


Applications of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are a resource that is used when the use of resins or fillings is no longer technically possible, nor is it possible to use inlays.

The determining factor is the amount of healthy tooth remaining. In the case of crowns, this healthy material is very small, that is, the tooth is largely destroyed; so much so that you have to completely cover it with a crown because there are no walls that can withstand the forces of chewing.

Dental crowns are also often made on the teeth used as pillars of a fixed prosthesis, specifically in fixed dental bridges.


Dental Crown Manufacturing Materials

The materials most used in the manufacture of dental crowns are:

  • Feldspathic Ceramics
  • Zirconium
  • Metal Porcelain
  • Dental Acrylic

Treatment Phases

Previous Endodontics

Given that the destruction of the tooth is practically total, it is often necessary to carry out a root canal treatment before starting the rehabilitation stage using dental crowns.

This endodontic treatment is performed either because the pulp is affected or because it is expected to occur after the crown is installed.

Confection of the Base

What is strictly necessary is the elaboration of a base that is nothing more than a reconstruction special in the form of a stump, post or abutment that serves as a support or base for the crown to be installed.

The stump or base is a smaller structure than the original tooth, made of special materials and has a shape that allows the dental crown to be placed on it, being very well adjusted

This base also distributes the chewing forces evenly to mitigate the risk of fractures, which is a very common risk in teeth as weak as those that require crowns.

In some very specific cases, this base is made with the same tooth tissue, in this case being called a natural stump.

Specifically for the case of crowns on implants, the basic concept does not exist as such, in this case what is used are a series of accessories that are screwed to the implant and that serve as crown support.

Impression taking

With the base ready, its shape is copied using dental impression techniques. From this step, an exact replica of the base or stump is obtained so that the dental laboratory can make a crown that fits perfectly both to the base and to the gum.

Crown Base Copied in Mold
Crown Base Copied in Mold

Provisional Crown

After the impression, a temporary crown is made that will protect the stump while the final crown is made. This crown is fixed using provisional cements that allow it to be extracted more easily.

Installation of Final Crown

In a last appointment, the new crown is placed on the stump, adjusted and finally fixed with special adhesive materials to keep the crown in place and well sealed.

Controls

Like any dental treatment, dental crowns require regular check-ups to ensure their integrity and thus keep them longer in our mouths and in excellent hygiene and operating conditions.


Tips About Dental Crowns

  • Make sure that it is not really possible to make a dental inlay instead of a dental crown; in conservative dentistry, dental crowns are a last resort.
  • It is important to assess the likelihood of success of dental crown treatment; those chances may be low and it’s best to invest in dental implants.
  • Checkups are extremely important, dental caps often lose their fit or seal and can leak allowing bacteria to enter the inside of the tooth .

Conclusions

Dental crowns are, like any health treatment, an option that allows you to recover teeth that are practically lost.

It is important to consider multiple aspects such as the relevance or not of making a dental crown, as well as the materials, the dental aesthetics and the need or not to perform root canal treatment before dental caps.

Author:


ramon antonio jimenez molina
Director Técnico

Ramón makes sure that everything works so that your dental experience is special. From Biosafety, to being your bilingual treatments counselor

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