Why Is a Dental Crown Needed? A dental crown may be needed in the following situations: To protect a weak tooth (decay) from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth. To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down. To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't a lot of tooth left. To hold a dental bridge in place. To cover misshaped or severely discolored teeth To cover a dental implant.

Dental Crowns

We often use dental crowns to restore beauty and strength to a tooth that has been weakened by decay, injury, or endodontic (root canal) therapy. Dental crowns are caps that fit over the entire tooth. The targeted tooth is prepared by removing damaged areas and shaping it to accommodate the dental crown. An impression of the prepared tooth is made so that the crown can be precisely crafted to fit snugly on the tooth. Once the crown is ready, it is cemented onto the tooth. At Mile High Dental Centers in Denver, Colorado, we primarily use dental crowns as a restorative dentistry option; however, we also use them for aesthetic applications such as fixing minor misalignments and repairing cracks and discolorations.

Metals used in crowns include gold alloy, other alloys (for example, palladium) or a base-metal alloy (for example, nickel or chromium). Compared with other crown types, less tooth structure needs to be removed with metal crowns, and tooth wear to opposing teeth is kept to a minimum. Metal dental crowns withstand biting and chewing forces well and probably last the longest in terms of wear down. Also, they rarely chip or break. The metallic color is the main drawback. Metal crowns are a good choice for out-of-sight molars.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns can be color matched to your adjacent teeth (unlike the metallic dental crowns). However, more wearing to the opposing teeth occurs with this crown type compared with metal or resin crowns. The crown's porcelain portion can also chip or break off. Next to all-ceramic crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns look most like normal teeth. However, sometimes the metal underlying the crown's porcelain can show through as a dark line, especially at the gum line and even more so if your gums recede. These dental crowns can be a good choice for the front or the back teeth.

All-ceramic or all-porcelain dental crowns provide the best natural color match than any other crown type and may be more suitable for people with metal allergies. However, they are not as strong as porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns and they wear down opposing teeth a little more than metal or resin crowns. All-ceramic crowns are a good choice for front teeth.

Temporary versus permanent. Temporary crowns can be made in your dentist's office whereas permanent crowns are made in a dental laboratory. Temporary crowns are made of acrylic or stainless steel and can be used as a temporary restoration until a permanent crown is constructed by the dental laboratory.


It's All About You

Having cosmetic or restorative dental work is a gift to yourself.

Having Dr. Boone in Denver, Colorado do the work will give you a masterpiece you can shine on your friends and family every time you smile.

Contact us or schedule an appointment online to find out how our dental artists can give you something to smile about.

 

Dr. Malcolm E. Boone II, D.D.S., M.S. Mile High Dental Centers serving Aspen, Aurora, Arvada, Boulder, Brighton, Broomfield, Cherry Hills Village, Centennial, Parker, Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Colorado Springs, Commerce City, Dacono, Denver, Erie, Evergreen, Englewood, Fort Collins, Fort Lupton, Franktown, Golden, Greenwood Village, Grand Junction, Keensburg, Lakewood, Longmont, Littleton, Loveland, Limon, Montrose, Northglenn, Fort Morgan, Thornton, Pueblo, Sedalia, Steamboat, Vail, Westminster, Wheatridge, Windsor.
 

Mile High Dental Centers 4 Convenient Locations Main Office Thornton 10295 Washington Street (303) 451-1111 Central Denver 1727 Gilpin Street (303) 388-1661 West Denver 2560 Sheridan (303) 477-7700 Englewood 5120 S. Broadway 303-794-0044

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EASY FINANCING We offer affordable dental services and easy financial arrangements. Details » The Comfort of Dentures Mile High Dental Centers has its own lab on-site so we can create beautiful custom dentures and partials just for you. Details »