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<p style="text-align: left;">“Dental Crowns” or “crowning a tooth” is the use of special materials to “cover” a problematic tooth entirely. It is mostly used for teeth that are decayed, cracked, or broken to the extent that they cannot be filled. The main purpose of dental crowns is to preserve the remaining tooth structure from further damage while restoring the strength and function of the affected tooth. For example, when a tooth is severely decayed and parts of the tooth structure are lost, normal use of the tooth becomes difficult, causing sensitivity, pain, and food debris accumulation. Continuing to use the tooth under these conditions increases the risk of further decay, cracking, or breaking, which may eventually lead to tooth extraction. If you want to save your tooth and avoid dentures, dental crowns are the solution to preserve the tooth and restore its function effectively.</p>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00826a;">Who is suitable for “Dental Crowns”?</span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00826a;">Who can benefit from dental crowns?<strong><br />
</strong></span></h4>
<p style="text-align: left;">In reality, anyone with decayed, cracked, or chipped teeth that cannot be treated with fillings can have dental crowns. If the goal of treatment is to avoid losing the tooth and to restore its function effectively, dental crowns are the most appropriate repair method. Crowns can be applied to any tooth, including front teeth where aesthetics are important, and back teeth or molars where chewing function is the priority. However, in some cases, the condition of the tooth root must be examined first. If there is a root problem, root canal treatment should be completed before placing the crown. Placing a crown on a tooth with root issues can lead to further decay or sensitivity, requiring removal of the crown to treat the root before placing a new crown. This results in redundant treatment and unnecessary additional costs.</p>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00826a;">What materials are used for dental crowns?<br />
What are the advantages of each?<strong><br />
</strong></span></h4>
<p style="text-align: left;">Various materials can be used for dental crowns, each with different advantages and costs. Currently, the popular materials for dental crowns include:<br />
<span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>1. Full Metal Crown (FMC)</strong></span> is known for its strength and durability, making it ideal for molars that are primarily used for chewing. However, the metal color, including gold alloys, does not blend naturally with other teeth. Since these crowns are usually placed on back teeth, the aesthetic impact is minimal because they are less visible.<br />
<span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>2. All-Resin Crown</strong></span> is popular for front teeth because resin is translucent, beautiful, and blends naturally with other teeth. However, resin crowns are less durable than metal crowns, so they are less commonly used for molars or back teeth.<br />
<span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>3. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crown (PFM)</strong></span> combines the strength of metal with the natural appearance of porcelain, resulting in a strong and aesthetically pleasing crown. However, more tooth structure must be removed to fit this type of crown properly.<br />
<span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>4. All-Ceramic Crown (ACC)</strong></span> offers both beauty and strength and is suitable for patients allergic to metal. However, it is not recommended for patients who grind their teeth or use their teeth to bite hard objects, as ceramic is not as strong as metal crowns. All-ceramic crowns can be further divided into two types based on the material: glass ceramic crowns, which are known for superior aesthetics, and zirconia crowns, which are stronger than typical ceramic crowns.<br />
<span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>5. Stainless Steel Crown (SSC)</strong></span> is rust-resistant, easy to make, quick to place, and does not require impressions. It is commonly used for children&#8217;s primary teeth because children often cannot tolerate long or complex dental procedures.</p>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00826a;">What are the steps for making a dental crown?<strong><br />
</strong></span></h4>
<p style="text-align: left;">Dental crown treatment is not completed in one day like tooth extraction or filling. It involves several steps to achieve the best results as follows:<br />
<span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>1. Examination, medical history, and impression for a temporary crown</strong></span><br />
On the first visit, the dentist will take your medical history, examine the problematic tooth, check your bite, take X-rays to assess the root condition, and evaluate the tooth structure to determine if a crown is feasible. Once confirmed, an impression will be taken to create a temporary crown.<br />
<span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>2. Tooth preparation and impression for the permanent crown</strong></span><br />
At the next appointment, local anesthesia will be administered, the tooth will be prepared by trimming, and the tooth color will be selected. Another impression will be taken to fabricate the permanent crown. Meanwhile, the temporary crown made earlier will be placed to protect the tooth.<br />
<span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>3. Placement of the permanent crown</strong></span><br />
Once the permanent crown is ready, the temporary crown will be removed, and the permanent crown will be fitted. Minor adjustments may be made to ensure a perfect fit. After checking the bite and fit, dental cement will be used to secure the crown firmly.<br />
<span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>4. Follow-up appointment</strong></span><br />
About one week after placing the permanent crown, a follow-up visit will be scheduled to check the tooth condition, ask about any symptoms, and assess overall oral health. If everything is normal, routine check-ups will be scheduled approximately every six months.</p>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #00826a;">How to care for your dental crown<br />
to maintain oral health<strong><br />
</strong></span></h4>
<p style="text-align: left;">Generally, the lifespan of a dental crown ranges from 5 to 15 years, depending on how the patient uses it. Proper oral hygiene, avoiding chewing ice or hard objects, and not using teeth to open packages can extend the crown’s life. Many people mistakenly believe that crowned teeth cannot decay because the crown protects the tooth. In reality, the tooth underneath can still decay if oral hygiene is neglected. Therefore, after getting a crown, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene, especially around the crowned tooth, possibly using dental floss to clean thoroughly. Regular dental check-ups every six months are also recommended to detect and treat any oral health issues early.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Dental crowns restore strength, aesthetics, and function to problematic teeth but do not make the tooth 100% like new. There is still a risk of losing the tooth if oral health is not maintained. The best approach is to take care of your teeth from the start to prevent decay, breakage, or chipping that requires crowns. This way, your teeth will remain strong, beautiful, natural-looking, and functional for a long time.</p>


People with tooth decay, cracked teeth, or chipped teeth that cannot be treated with fillings can benefit from crowns, which help strengthen the teeth and extend their lifespan.

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What is a dental crown? Understanding it helps you take better care of your teeth.

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