Dental Care for All of Us

If you have a tooth that is cracked, chipped or structurally weak, a dental crown may be used to help strengthen the tooth. A crown is like a cap. It fits over the damaged tooth, covering some or all of the tooth. This helps to hide any chips or cracks in the tooth, and gives you the appearance of a solid tooth. Most people do not realize it, but dental crowns can be made from a variety of different materials, including ceramic materials, composite resin, metal, porcelain or zirconia. If you are getting a crown, you may be wondering what factors a dentist looks at when determining what material your crown should be made from. Here are three of those factors. 

The Location of the Tooth in Your Mouth and Its Function

One of the factors that is carefully looked at and considered when determining what material to make a dental crown from is the location of the tooth that needs a crown and that tooth's function or purpose in your mouth. The teeth that are located in the back of your mouth need to be stronger and more durable than the teeth in the front of your mouth. The teeth in the front of your mouth need to look better than the teeth in the back of your mouth. A dentist will take all of these factors into consideration. 

If You Want the Tooth to Match and What Color Your Teeth Are

Another factor that is taken into account when determining what material to make a dental crown from is whether you want the tooth to match your existing teeth and what color and shade your teeth are. If the tooth is in the back, you may not mind the tooth having a metal appearance to it. But, if the tooth is in the front, you want it closely match the color of your teeth. Different materials better match different teeth colors and tones. 

What Your Budget Is

The final factor that a dentist needs to consider when determining what material to make your dental crown from is what your budget is. Dental crowns can be made from expensive metals, including gold and silver, or cheaper resins and composites. Your budget will play a role in what material a dentist feels is ideal to use for your crown. 

If you need to have a crown placed over a tooth in your mouth, determining what material to make the crown from is a big decision. Your dentist will work with you to explain the pros and cons of each material and help you determine the material that is best suited to make your crown from. Schedule an appointment today to book a consultation with a dentist to discuss your dental crown.