Dental crown is a professional term but many patients call it a cap. A tooth is made of white enamel and yellow dentin underneath. As enamel thins, you see more of the yellow dentin underneath and this is one reason for teeth becoming yellow with age. When the tooth is damaged or weakened a new one can be made by a dentist. There are many reasons for replacement: fracture and loss of enamel, decay with loss of enamel and dentin, sensitivity due to a crack, after root canal therapy and cosmetic reasons
During a dental crown visit the tooth is prepared by reducing its size and an impression is made. It's sent to a dental laboratory where the restoration is made and the patient wears a temporary crown for protection. When the patient returns to the dental office, the restoration is adjusted and cemented. Most patients choose a porcelain to gold restoration, however, it can be made completely of gold or completely of porcelain.
A dental crown is strong and lasts longer than a dental filling. Many patients, especially as they get older, crack parts of their natural teeth while biting something hard. When a significant part of a natural tooth is missing, an artificial restoration is the best alternative. A gold crown is strong and wears like a natural tooth. Gold does not break, but porcelain can. However, porcelain is beautiful. The procedure is usually covered by traditional dental insurance at 50%. Unfortunately, not all dental insurance companies agree about what the cost should be, so dental insurance company UCR maximums differ. The money spent now spares the tooth insults in the future when an inadequate filling fails.
A dental crown covers most of the exposed portion of a tooth and decay does not effect it because it's made of metal and/or porcelain. However, the area where the natural tooth meets the dental work can decay. This area is called the margin These restorations normally last 5 or 10 years. Constructing beautiful restorations is part of providing excellent Dentistry to patients. To schedule a free dental consultation with Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky or Dr. Jeffrey Stephen Smith, call 404-874-7428.