When you succumb to tooth decay, your dentist will hopefully be able to catch the cavity early. If you are going to your dentist every six months, there is a much higher chance of this. However, if you ignore your dental health by not brushing frequently or avoiding regular dental appointments, you could end up with worse than a cavity. When decay is left alone, it can go into the roots of teeth and require a much more invasive restoration. A dental crown is used in this case to provide support to what remains of your tooth structure. Your Pella general dentist will describe some different types of dental crowns.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Dental Crowns
Initially, crowns were made from gold or other strong, precious metals. Along the way, materials were developed to try and offer the best of both worlds – metal’s strength with porcelain’s aesthetic advantage. These porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns consist of a layering of materials. The drawback? The metal base under the porcelain can create the appearance of a black line at the spot on your gum tissue where the crown ends. This is a result of the metal edge of the crown.
Other Dental Crown Options
To avoid black lines, your Pella general dentist usually recommends white porcelain or lithium disilicate crowns as opposed to metal crowns. These particular materials provide long lasting durability while still looking like natural teeth. Unlike crowns in the past that were obvious because of the sheen of metal, modern dental crowns are custom shaded to match your surrounding teeth. Not only do they blend in with the rest of your teeth, but they also reflect light much like tooth enamel. To deal with the fact that porcelain and ceramic can’t always endure the crushing pressure that back teeth endure through chewing and grinding, Dr. Allen prefers to use metal or tooth-colored zirconia crowns on back teeth.
Pella General Dentist Offers Dental Crowns
Your general dentist in Pella, provides comfortable dental care to patients of all ages. Call (641) 628-1121 today to schedule an appointment. We are located on the west side of the historic town square in Pella, IA. Please see the map for directions.