If you’ve ever had a cavity or root canal surgery at the dentist, you may have heard of dental crowns or even had them implanted. But many people still don’t know exactly what they are and how they work. Dental crowns are prosthetic caps that are implanted after much of the natural tooth has been compromised due to damage or surgery. It is meant to restore the shape and utility of the tooth and maintain alignment of the teeth.

At North Carolina’s High Point Smile Dentistry, the dentists explain some of the different types of dental crowns available and the unique functional properties of each:

• Ceramic Crowns: Ceramic crowns are made out of filling material that’s primarily porcelain. They are very good at matching the color of natural teeth, and they are highly recommended to use when front teeth need restoring. One downside of ceramic crowns is that they can be more susceptible to damage, so chewing on hard things can cause them to break.
• Porcelain Fused To Metal Crowns: These crowns are also able to match the color of natural teeth so they can be used for front teeth. They are slightly stronger than all-porcelain crowns but can still be likely to break rather easily. Also, the metal structure can sometimes show through beneath the porcelain filling, which can look like a dark line around the gums. If aesthetics are a priority, these crowns are a better option for the back teeth.
• Gold Alloys: Gold alloys mix copper, gold, and other metals, making for a strong dental crown that dentists find is particularly good at sticking to the tooth structure. Gold alloy dental crowns are durable, don’t wear away easily, and suit most people’s gums well. However, gold crowns aren’t very good at matching the color of natural teeth and can look obvious if placed on front teeth.
• Base Metal Alloys: Base metal alloy crowns are made of mixed metals as well and are extremely strong against erosion while being very gentle on the tooth structure. Dentists don’t have to remove as much of the healthy tooth in order to accommodate base metal alloys.

For more on dental crowns and which type might be right for you, contact High Point Smile Dentistry for an appointment at (336) 884-4000, or visit their website.