It is not always possible to save a tooth from depulpation and staging of large fillings, which is why many doctors suggest putting a crown. Often, patients panic, as they do not always understand what exactly a similar product is.
Artificial crown - a cap that completely covers the crown of the tooth. They are very different and are not always used to restore the shape and function of the tooth. In particular, orthodontic crowns are used to fix devices that correct the dentition.
What are the crowns
An artificial crown is used if the tooth is damaged, broken, changed its color or there is no possibility to use a seal. With the help of such a device, you can completely restore the chewing function, acquire the aesthetic beauty of a smile, and also prevent the development of a malocclusion.
If you need to install an artificial crown, you need to determine whether it will serve to restore the tooth or act as a support for the installed bridge. The nature of the damage and the characteristics of the dentition are important.
Almost all types of crowns are fixed to the tooth using certain materials, forming a single structure. There is a huge selection of similar products in terms of material, functional purpose and cost.
What are the types
There are several different types of artificial crowns. Depending on the purpose of these types of prostheses, they are supporting and restorative. The supporting structures are used for subsequent fixing of the bridge. Reconstructive constructions are required to eliminate existing violations of hard tissues. Depending on the material used, an artificial crown can be:
- metal;
- non-metallic;
- combined.
Non-metallic prostheses are made of plastic or porcelain. For metals, alloys are used, and combined ones are made of metal, which is lined with porcelain or plastic.
Metal crowns are divided into stamped and cast. Such a classification is carried out taking into account the manufacturing methodology. Cast products are made by casting metal, according to pre-made molds. Stamped are obtained by stamping from special discs.
Types of products depending on the area of coverage
According to the classification of artificial crowns according to the area of coverage of the tooth, full and partial are distinguished. The most popular view is the complete design. The choice of product depends largely on the group of teeth on which the crown will be installed, as well as on how badly they are destroyed.
The stump crown is intended for installation on an almost completely destroyed tooth. This design is characterized in that it is disassembled and reassembled. It can be made from various anti-allergenic materials. The fixing device combines the pin, the artificial tooth root and the crown itself.
The telescopic crown combines the support and the outer part. The design fixes removable and non-removable prostheses, as well as certain maxillofacial devices.
Partial crowns are designed to replace the lateral parts of the teeth. It is designed to cover areas affected by caries, and is also used in case of pathological abrasion of teeth. In some cases, it is used during the treatment of various pathologies. A semi-crown covers only half of the tooth and is installed on the front surface of the incisors and front teeth. Caries under an artificial crown is not noticeable and somewhat slows down its development.
Vinyl crowns, which are made of plastic or porcelain, are very popular. Sometimes, non-metal ceramics are used to make veneers. Unlike all other designs, they are distinguished by aesthetics and greater attractiveness.
Appointments
Doctors distinguish several types of artificial crowns according to their purpose. If part of the tooth is missing, then restorative design is used. Its main purpose is to return the required anatomical shape of the tooth. If most of the teeth are missing in the oral cavity, then this is compensated by prostheses. They require additional support, which are the crowns.
To perform removable dentures and some types of maxillofacial devices, contour crowns are required. The degree of loosening of the teeth at various stages of the course of the disease can be very different. One of the methods of treatment is the use of splint crowns. They help to remove part of the load from the teeth on the side of the pathology, and slow down the process of premature loss.
A good healing effect is exerted by special healing crowns. They allow you to somewhat accelerate the formation of natural dentin. As a result, the hard part of the tooth is restored. It does not require pulp removal.
To reduce or prevent pathological abrasion of teeth, prophylactic crowns are installed. They help to slightly change the length of the teeth, as well as restore their attractiveness.
In the process of preparing the teeth, the pulp suffers greatly, since various irritants appear on it. Preparation is a preparatory step for the installation of permanent prostheses. To provide pulp protection, artificial gum crowns are used. They help provide better protection.
Varieties by Material
Depending on the materials used for artificial crowns, they are divided into metal composite, metal-free and combined. All-metal are subdivided, in turn, into stamped and all-cast. Metal stamped types are among the very first that have been used to protect the teeth. However, now they are very rarely used, since they have many disadvantages, among which it is necessary to highlight the following:
- the remnants of food penetrate the gum due to a loose fit of the crown;
- short shelf life;
- not too attractive in appearance.
Solid constructions can be of several types, in particular:
- without spraying;
- with spraying;
- with plastic or ceramic cladding.
Solid castings are made by casting from a prosthesis metal. In addition, they can have a gold dusting. The advantages of such products include maximum wear resistance, long service life, strength. It is worth noting that they lack the minuses of stamped structures, however, they lack an aesthetic appearance.
For the manufacture of artificial crowns, a combined method may also be used. They are made of metal by casting, however, they have one important advantage, since their front surface is covered with a layer of ceramic or white plastic. These materials give the crowns quite good aesthetic qualities.
Properly made cermets are almost indistinguishable from natural teeth. The strength of such products is also quite good. It can also be made using the shoulder mass. It is a special ceramic, which replaces the metal located in the area of the ledge, which guarantees a stronger fit to the tooth. The crown is more aesthetic. Even if the gum slightly changes its contour, then this will not affect the aesthetics at all.
Metal-free ceramic prostheses are among the most modern designs and are divided into porcelain and zirconium. Porcelain constructions are made using high temperature and pressure by injection molding. Such technology makes it possible to give ceramics the maximum possible strength, therefore such crowns do not need reinforcing metal frames at all.
In its aesthetic qualities, pressed ceramics are superior to cermets, and they are also more stable. The disadvantages include the possibility of manufacturing only a single prosthesis and their high cost.
Zirconium crowns are made of the most modern materials. They have a more durable frame in natural or white. Similar products are made on the basis of zirconium dioxide, and the coating is made of sintered porcelain. This type of frame in terms of strength is almost inferior to metal, however, it is characterized by light transmission, which makes it possible to most accurately simulate the shades of your own teeth. They are performed on an automatic machine using a special technology.
Zirconium constructions are characterized by maximum accuracy of fit to adjacent teeth. The only drawback of such designs is the high cost.
In some cases, temporary artificial crowns are used. Similar products are required to protect the treated tooth from pathogens while a permanent prosthesis is being manufactured. After grinding the tooth and depulping the canal, the risk of infection is very high, so you need to install a temporary structure. In addition to its main function, it also avoids discomfort during food consumption and preserves the aesthetics of the oral cavity.
Plastic is also used to make dental crowns. However, it has several disadvantages, therefore, such designs are rarely used. Basically, their aesthetic qualities are quite good, but after 2-3 years dark streaks appear on the surface. In addition, it is worth noting that such a product has rather low hygienic qualities.
Now there are new materials based on photopolymers. It is worth noting that the strength of the plastic is low, and you also have to sharpen your teeth so that the crown does not split. In contact with the gum, a plastic crown can cause inflammation and a dark rim on the gum.
Types of application time
There are various artificial crowns and their types. Their classification largely depends on the time of application. In this case, temporary and permanent structures are distinguished. They are selected depending on the problem that needs to be solved. Temporary crowns are made to solve such problems as:
- bite height change;
- protection of the soft part of the tooth;
- fixing of special devices.
Such products are installed for a short period of time, that is, until the installation of permanent structures, and then they are removed. The selection of such products is wide enough and depends on the characteristics of the tooth, which has a specific location. Polyethylene methacrylic or polycarbonate products are suitable for anterior teeth. For chewing teeth, crowns made of special medical alloys are used. Temporary structures are mounted on a special fixing tool and can be easily removed when necessary.
Permanent crowns can be of several types, which vary in quality and cost. The material used is mainly plastic, composites, ceramics. For example, ceramics are suitable for people prone to allergies. They differ in that they do not provoke gum irritation and look as natural as possible.
For the manufacture of metal structures used steel, cobalt, gold, chrome. Such products are characterized by the fact that they combine aesthetic appeal, durability and affordable cost. To make the teeth look as natural as possible, it is best to choose alloys on gold.
How to choose the right
If there are indications for the installation of such structures, then it is necessary to take into account the requirements for artificial crowns. It is recommended to install microprostheses on the front teeth, which have very good aesthetic qualities. These include porcelain or cermet prostheses.
If you need to install crowns on chewing teeth, it is best to choose cast metal structures. They have an affordable cost, since their aesthetic qualities are not high enough. But such designs have a longer service life.
If you want each chewing tooth to look as natural as possible, then you can use ceramic-metal constructions. Products lined with ceramic mass have optimal aesthetic qualities. In addition, it is worth noting that they have a high level of strength.
It is worth noting that it is necessary to take into account the basic requirements for artificial crowns, since it is important to ensure proper care so that they last for a long time. If the ceramic type of construction is installed, then toothpaste, floss and brush will be enough. You can also purchase special irrigators, which are characterized by the fact that a stream of water is supplied through a special nozzle.
Indications for installation
Dental prosthetics with artificial crowns are widely used, especially since many new and modern materials have appeared recently. However, it is very important to choose the right dentist who will help you decide which particular designs are most suitable in accordance with all requirements.
It is worth noting that crowns are not installed at the request of the patient, since there must be certain indications for this. Most of the problems with teeth can be quite easily eliminated with fillings or veneers. Among the main indications for artificial crowns, it is necessary to highlight such as:
- the need to fix orthopedic and maxillofacial devices;
- carious damage to hard tissues;
- the inability to restore the wall of the tooth with the help of artificial restoration;
- violation of chewing function;
- anomalies in the shape of the dentition;
- strong abrasion of enamel;
- the need to increase the height of the lower dentition;
- severe destruction of the crown of the tooth.
Using artificial crowns, indications and contraindications for their use must be taken into account first of all in order to prevent the occurrence of complications.
Contraindications
There are certain contraindications to artificial crowns, among which it is necessary to highlight such as:
- malocclusion;
- small height of the preserved tooth;
- Patient under the age of 16;
- thinning of the front walls of the teeth;
- looseness of the tooth.
In addition, contraindications include the presence of an allergy to the materials used, as well as the presence of certain diseases of the oral cavity.
Main advantages
There are many advantages of using an artificial crown, among which it is necessary to highlight such as:
- good aesthetic factors;
- long period of operation;
- affordable cost;
- lack of need to sharpen your teeth;
- Biocompatibility of materials with dental tissues and gums.
A crown mounted on the affected tooth will significantly extend its service life and functionality. The ceramic coating is resistant to the effects of pathogens, the result of which is caries.
What may be the disadvantages
It is worth noting that the use of artificial crowns has certain disadvantages, which include:
- depulpation can lead to inflammation;
- insufficient strength of some types of crowns;
- low aesthetics of metal products.
In addition, among the shortcomings, it is necessary to highlight that in some cases it will be necessary to injure healthy teeth if they perform the function of support. Cermet requires preliminary grinding of a large volume of fabrics, approximately to a depth of 2 mm from all sides. That is why it is preferable to install veneers on the front teeth.
Since a significant amount of tooth tissue is removed during grinding, the pulp is damaged. However, with her death, the inflammatory process does not develop immediately, but some time after the installation of crowns. As a result of this, removal of the crown and subsequent retreatment of the tooth, and then prosthetics, may be required. To avoid the occurrence of such a complication, teeth are first pulp depot, and then root canals are filled.
Features of manufacturing and installation
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