What is a Full Coverage Crown?
Full coverage, dental crowns are one of the most common restorations used to treat dental maladies such as extensive decay, a fractured tooth, or to restore a tooth that has had root canal therapy. Other restorations might include fillings, inlays, dental bridges, and dental implants.
What is a full coverage crown?
Dental crowns can be either partial or full coverage, depending on the extent of damage to the tooth. A full coverage crown is one that covers each surface of a tooth all the way to the gum line. It is considered a permanent restoration and is made to match the rest of your teeth to look as natural as possible. Full coverage crowns are used when a dental filling would not be enough to repair the affected tooth. They can also save a fractured tooth that might otherwise have to be extracted.
What is the procedure for a full coverage crown?
To begin, your dentist will take an impression of your mouth in order to create a model, which is then used to fabricate your crown. Next, a small amount of tooth structure is removed from the tooth being restored to allow enough space for the crown to fit snugly on the tooth.
If your dentist has the ability to make your crown in-office, they will be able to place your permanent crown in the same visit. If they use a dental lab, they will place a temporary crown and send your models to the lab who will then fabricate your crown. Once they receive your crown back from the lab, you will be scheduled to come back to have the temporary crown removed and the permanent crown placed.
What are dental crowns made of?
There are a few options when having a dental crown made. Your dentist will help you decide on the best material for your individual needs.
Porcelain and Ceramic: These are the most common materials used to fabricate dental crowns. While they are not as strong as metal crowns, they offer the most natural coloring available and are a great option for teeth that show when you smile. They are also the best option for patients with metal allergies.
Resin: Resin crowns are less expensive but are not as strong even as porcelain and are not likely to last as long before wearing down or even breaking. They are still a good option for patients that need the lower cost but keep in mind that they will need to be replaced more frequently than other options so may end up costing more in the long run.
Metal: Base metals such as gold, nickel, palladium or chromium can also be used to make crowns. They are incredibly durable and rarely chip or break. Metal crowns cannot be tinted to match the rest of your teeth so they are used on posterior teeth that do not show when you smile.
Porcelain Fused to Metal: PFM crowns are the best of both worlds! A metal crown is fabricated with a porcelain outer coating so they have the strength of metal and the aesthetic benefits of porcelain.
Full coverage crowns are one of the best options to restore a damaged tooth. Your dentist will help you determine what type of crown and material will best suit your needs.