Are you considering having root canal treatment? If you don’t know the ins and outs of what this entails, you might not be aware that your tooth will need a dental crown after the treatment.
Dental crowns are one of the most common dental treatments in the United States. There are several different types of dental crowns, and they are used to treat a number of different conditions, but by far the most common reason your dentist will give you one is after root canal treatment.
Keep reading as we look into what dental crowns are and the different types you might see.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a cap that your dentist will place over an existing tooth in order to protect it. A root canal treatment involves removing part of the tooth in order to access the root.
The tooth must not be left exposed, and so a dental crown after a root canal eliminates this issue by completely covering the tooth. We can’t diminish the importance of dental crowns.
Types of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns aren’t all made from the same materials. Some will look more like real teeth, whereas some are built for durability and strength. Let’s take a look at 3 main types of dental crowns.
1. Gold Dental Crown
This type of crown is called a gold crown because of the color, rather than the material. The crown is in fact usually made from a mixture of copper, and either nickel or chromium.
These types of crowns will usually attach to teeth at the back of the mouth. They obviously don’t blend in particularly well with the rest of your teeth, but they are strong and durable and so are ideal for the rear teeth.
2. Porcelain Dental Crown
Porcelain dental crowns are by far the most common type of crown. This is because they look very similar to a real tooth, and your dentist can even match the color with the rest of your teeth.
These crowns can last a long time if you take care of them, and don’t need any extra cleaning on top of your regular cleaning process.
3. Zirconia Dental Crown
Zirconia crowns are a relatively new type, but they give you the best of both worlds when it comes to aesthetics and strength.
Zirconia crows are unlikely to chip, crack, or even wear down. It is classed as ceramic rather than metal, and you can even find it in things like hip or shoulder implants!
Now You Know More About Dental Crowns
Did you know a little more about the different types of dental crowns, you can feel confident that if you need a root canal treatment, your tooth will be well protected afterward.
We’re here to help if you have any questions about dental crowns, root canals, or anything related to your dental treatment. Or why not check out some more articles on the blog section of the website?