Once it has been determined that a full crown restoration is your best treatment option, choices still have to be made. There are several alternatives when it comes to the type of crown that can be used. These alternatives are outlined below.
Gold crowns are among our oldest options harking back to the first crown-makers, Roman goldsmiths. So they’ve withstood the test of time. Gold is completely biocompatible-inert in the oral environment and it lasts a very long time. Gold of course is expensive and in some areas of the mouth a little showy. Therefore, Dr. Cloninger only recommends gold crowns on molars that are usually unseen.
Another crown option is porcelain fused to metal crown. This crown combines the strength of metal with esthetics of porcelain. We can match the color of the neighboring teeth perfectly. This type of crown is very strong and lasts for a number of years. Overtime, however, you may lose some cosmetic benefits, since the metal substructure is detectable at the gum line as tissue recedes with age.
Lastly, there is a full ceramic crown. It’s rather new to dentistry, but has a good track record. A base of industrial ceramic is fused to a reinforced porcelain veneer. This is strong porcelain that is used in the making of crown. The benefits are in the fit around the gum line and cosmetic considerations. We can x-ray ceramic crowns to help monitor the health of the natural tooth underneath.
Dr. Cloninger will suggest to you the type of crown he would recommend and then you are on your way to a better bite and fuller dental function.
Please call to set up an appointment.