Purpose

• The main purpose for dental crowns is restoration of otherwise imperfect teeth. Over time, normal wear and tear on teeth can cause dramatic changes in their strength and appearance. This can include broken-off or cracked teeth or the wearing away of enamel from not taking care of teeth properly. Dental crown implants can restore them back to their original condition. They are also used to improve the appearance of dark, discolored teeth that may have been stained from things such as smoking, drinking coffee or certain medications.
  
  

Procedure

• The natural teeth will need to be filed or trimmed down in order for the dental crown to fit over it without appearing to be too large and out of balance with the rest of the teeth. Then impressions are made of all the teeth that are to be crowned. The dental crown is then made in a lab according to the measurements of the impression. Once the crowns are ready to be placed over the teeth, they are cemented with a sturdy dental cement to ensure they will stay in place and be just like the natural teeth of the patient. With proper dental care, dental crowns can last the lifetime of the patient.
  
  

Metal Crowns

• Metal crowns can be the least expensive type of dental crown. They are commonly made of gold, silver or other metal alloys. Dentists commonly used metal crowns for back teeth where strength is needed to repair broken teeth, but they will not be as highly noticeable. However, some patients want to have full dental crowns made of 14-karat gold placed over teeth in the front, and this can be more expensive.
  
  

Porcelain Crowns

• Another type of crowns that dentists use to repair the teeth is porcelain crowns. These are usually the most expensive route to go when having dental crowns implanted. The color of the porcelain will be matched to the same shade of whiteness of the rest of the teeth. This gives a more natural appearance and makes having dental crowns almost unnoticeable.
  
  

Combination Crowns

• Patients may also opt for a combination of both porcelain and a metal alloy base. The outside of the crown is made of a porcelain finish that looks like the rest of the teeth. However, the inner layer is made of a metal alloy that is fused to the porcelain top layer. This method is normally in the middle price range and can give patients the same beautiful results as full porcelain crowns.