Dental crowns

Dental crowns or “caps” are fixed prosthetic devices that are cemented onto a prepared tooth or dental implant. They are most commonly used to repair damage from tooth loss due to trauma or dental caries.

Thanks to their excellent aesthetic qualities, dental crowns can be placed on the front teeth to improve the appearance of discoloured or misshapen teeth.

If a tooth is significantly damaged or an entire wall is missing, build-up material is used to fill in the missing tooth structure in preparation for dental crown placement. Build-up on endodontically treated teeth is used for fixing the remaining root of the natural tooth and connecting it to the crown. The tooth will take the shape of a filed down tooth, after which it is possible to proceed with the crown making process.

Types of dental crowns
Dental crowns can be made from different materials. Although they are usually made of metal, metal-free materials such as e.max, Empress and zirconia ceramic are gaining popularity for their premium aesthetic qualities.

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‍Metal-ceramic crowns

Metal-ceramic crowns consist of a metal part and a ceramic part. The crown base is made of a metal alloy completely covered with a ceramic layer so that the underlying metal is not visible.Metals used in making metal-ceramic crowns are precious metal alloys – palladium, and non-precious metal alloys – cobalt (Cr-Co).The main advantage of metal-ceramic crowns is the combination of a metal base, providing strength and resistance to pressure and chewing forces, and a ceramic layer, guaranteeing an optimal aesthetic effect.They are often used to cover premolars and molars, which have to withstand strong chewing force.They are still a popular choice in prosthetic rehabilitation due to their affordable price and excellent qualities. While the metal base provides stability and strength, the outside ceramic layer mimics the shape and colour of natural teeth.

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All-ceramic crowns
All-ceramic crowns (metal-free crowns) are made entirely of a high-quality ceramic material which can withstand all the pressures in the same way that natural teeth can (even without the metal base), at the same time providing highly aesthetic results.

These crowns are made entirely of ceramic, without any metal components.

The ability of ceramic crowns to perfectly mimic natural teeth means they meet the highest aesthetic requirements of our patients.

All-ceramic crowns, or metal-free crowns, are able to replicate the properties of real teeth, such as translucence, colour, and transparency, which makes them impossible to distinguish from natural teeth. They are most commonly used for front teeth. As they are more difficult to make, they cost more than metal-ceramic crowns.

E.max ceramic or glass-ceramic materials are treated in a way that makes them the ideal choice for frontal teeth regions using the CAD/CAM system. E.max crowns guarantee superior aesthetics in restoring individual teeth.
The CAD/CAM technology speeds up the process of constructing crowns, veneers, and other dental restorations. As with ceramic crowns, they are more difficult to make compared to metal-ceramic crowns, which contributes to a higher price.

Zirconia-ceramic crowns

Zirconia-ceramic crowns are made of a zirconia base covered in a ceramic layer.  The combination of these customised and high-quality materials makes these crowns a premium option. They are used for both front and back teeth, and their strength, biocompatibility and superior aesthetics make them the best choice for restoring a damaged tooth.

All zirconia dental crowns give a natural appearance, closely mimicking the visual properties of natural teeth.

One of their advantages is that they leave no “black edge” due to receding gums, as they do not contain any metal.
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Preparation for crown placement

TOOTH RESHAPING

The dentist will file down a small portion of the enamel, shaping the surface so that it is slightly rounded, which provides a longer-lasting result. The entire tooth reshaping procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, and is completely pain-free.

TAKING AN IMPRESSION

After filing it down, the dentist will take an impression of the tooth, which will be sent to our dental laboratory. This is a multi-stage process, involving communication between the patient, dentist and dental technician. During the waiting period, the patient is fitted with a temporary crown designed to look and function as natural teeth, and protect the underlying teeth until the final crown is ready.

TRIAL FIT

Once the laboratory finishes the crown, the patient will come for a trial fit. The time necessary for making dental crowns depends on the number and material of the crown. This usually takes no longer than three days.




FINAL CROWN FITTING

After taking accurate impressions, adjusting the jaw relations and creating the crown in our laboratory, the patient receives a crown that is placed over the reshaped tooth, permanently cemented into place, and guarantees a seamless smile that lasts many years with proper hygiene.

Written by: dr. med. dent. Ivan Kustec