Toothache is probably the most annoying thing in the world. Sooner or later, everyone faces it, aching and nasty. But if in some cases everything costs only a little blood - treatment, then sometimes you have to resort to extreme measures - prosthetics. What are the indications for the installation of dental crowns, what are they and how to choose them correctly?
History of occurrence
People have always had problems with their teeth, but only relatively recently did it become possible to mask decayed teeth so skillfully. Until the eighteenth century, from which modern orthopedics counts, dentures also existed, but they were made from horse or walrus teeth, from the bones of elephants and other large animals. Similar prostheses were attached to neighboring teeth using gold or silver wire - not the most reliable design, but people had no choice, and therefore the invention was in demand.
Exactly until then, however, as a certain Frenchman by the name of Fauchard did not seriously attend to this issue. At the end of the twenties of the eighteenth century, it was he who first inventedput caps on broken teeth. Fauchard produced these caps, still in ivory, but coated them with gold. Fauchard subsequently described all his developments in a voluminous work, which later became a landmark for the development of dentistry and orthodontics.
Why crowns are needed
Really, what are dental crowns for? Why can't you get by with ordinary fillings? Tooth filling is a good thing, of course, but if the tooth is thoroughly damaged, then no filling will help it. But after all, the removal, which many patients resort to, is also not a panacea. The use of dental crowns is designed to save a decayed tooth, restore its functions, including chewing, and protect it from possible caries. Thanks to the crown, the bone tissue will not be further destroyed, the correct bite will be preserved, in addition, it looks much more aesthetic when smiling - unlike uneven fragments or a gaping black hole after pulling out.
When crowns are needed
There are several main reasons why a crown is really highly recommended. First, this should be done if the tooth is more than fifty percent damaged - and this is the only way to save it (tooth extraction is not an option here), especially if the nerve is missing. In this situation, neither a filling nor an inlay (in other words, microprosthetics) will help properly, since they will not be able to reduce the load when chewing the food that this tooth receives. If the tooth is intact and unharmed, similarthe pressure does not threaten him with anything, but being severely destroyed, he simply cannot withstand such an onslaught, he will split - and then there will definitely be no other way out but to eliminate him.
Another reason to install dental crowns is increased tooth wear, often pathological. A similar procedure should be carried out even if the patient has periodontitis, or with a high degree of probability they will begin to stagger in the very near future. In case of a split tooth, a jaw injury, the need to install a bridge prosthesis, a change in the color of the tooth, when eliminating interdental spaces - in all these cases, dental crowns are recommended for patients.
Contraindications for installation
If there are indications, then there must be contraindications - this logic works in all cases, and dental crowns are no exception. In fairness, it should be noted that they are practically absent for prosthetics: they apply only to pregnant women - they can only be crowned in the second trimester. You can’t do this either in the first (the fetus is just being formed) or in the third trimesters, since there is a risk of harming the unborn baby. In addition, the installation of crowns with poor oral hygiene is not recommended.
Types of dental crowns
Crowns are made from a variety of materials, and depending on this, they are divided into types. In addition, they differ in functionality - there are supporting structures that help restore chewing ability, and there are restorative prostheses that protect againstfurther destruction. There are also four types of dental crowns according to the manufacturing method. The first is stamped crowns, which are a “cap” made of a single (any) material. They are quite budgetary and do not require preliminary depulpation of the tooth, however, they have a significant drawback: food debris can penetrate under them and destroy the enamel. The second is cast crowns, they also consist of the same material, but they are made according to a cast of a tooth from plaster. This is the most popular manufacturing method, since it does not require large financial costs, but at the same time the product is durable. Such crowns are most often installed on chewing teeth. You can make them both from pure metal and set off with gold.
The third method is metal crowns, the cheapest and most affordable. They are also quite durable, but they do not look very presentable, and therefore inferior to their cast counterparts. They are mainly placed on the side teeth, so as not to shine with a metal fixation with a wide smile (well, unless someone consciously wants this). Experts note that when installing metal dental crowns, an unpleasant aftertaste and burning sensation may appear in the mouth. Finally, the fourth type of crowns is combined. This means that they consist of a base metal interspersed with some other material, such as plastic.
Well, now it's time to talk in more detail about the materials from which crowns can be made. After installation, any of them are fixed with special cement for dental crowns. Advantages andthe disadvantages of each are described below.
Metal
Such crowns are pioneers, pioneers - they appeared a long time ago and were considered the best dental crowns for a long time. To this day, their indisputable advantage is their relatively low price, in addition, their strength and durability deserve respect: good metal crowns can faithfully serve their owner for about fifteen years, which is a very impressive period for dentures. Metal dental crowns are not subject to corrosion, do not have a bad effect on he althy neighbors. They do not suffer from pressure when chewing, do an excellent job with this function and are quite comfortable, but in addition to the advantages, they also have a number of disadvantages. The unaesthetic appearance has already been mentioned, in addition, such crowns are quite difficult to accurately and tightly fit on the tooth, which is why there is a risk of food getting under them.
Metal crowns are made of titanium, steel, gold-plated steel, platinum, and so on. In general, they are made either from precious metal alloys or coated with them. It must be borne in mind that it is impossible to make a crown from several metals at once. Or rather, you can - but you should never use such a product.
Titanium
Reviews of titanium dental crowns claim that this type has much more disadvantages than advantages. Actually, there are only two pluses - the price and the absence of the need to sharpen the tooth strongly. But as for the shortcomings, here it ismore serious: both titanium crowns wear out quickly, and they do not fit snugly, and they do not look so hot. These prostheses also cannot cope with the chewing function one hundred percent, and many dentists fundamentally do not work with titanium, since it is carcinogenic.
Ceramics
How cheap and ugly titanium crowns are, just as expensive and attractive ceramic ones. Ceramics make it possible to make a prosthesis that is indistinguishable in color from a real tooth, in addition, since such crowns do not oxidize, they are truly the best option for installation on front teeth. Among other things, they are the most biocompatible and, in a good scenario, are quite durable; however, ceramic crowns, alas, cannot boast of ideal strength. It is for this reason that they are not very suitable for chewing teeth. But they must also have at least some drawback? By the way, it is ceramic crowns that are put on by many Hollywood celebrities.
Porcelain
As you might guess, porcelain crowns are distinguished by a fabulously high price, and this can be considered a significant drawback of this type of prosthesis. Also, the disadvantages of this type of crowns include the inability to install them on a whole row - only on one tooth. In addition, it is a whole problem to make them: this can be done only in those firms where porcelain specialists work. But according to external data, no other crowns can be compared with porcelain crowns.
Gold
Golden dental crowns gained a lot of popularity about twenty years ago. They have many advantages:high compatibility with the human body, lack of inflammation and/or allergies, inertness, they are not subject to corrosion and exclude the development of decay processes. Gold crowns fit perfectly to the gums, accurately reproducing the shape of the tooth, in addition, they perfectly protect the tooth from germs.
Chewing function with similar crowns is restored with a bang, and you can use them for quite a long time. As for the disadvantages, that is, gold as a material for prostheses and they are the high cost of work.
Plastic
The first thing to remember about plastic dental crowns is that they are not put on for a long time, only for a short period as a temporary replacement. For constant long wear, plastic prostheses are not suitable - plastic is stained with food. Why put such a substitute at all? This is necessary so that the turned teeth do not come into contact with the external irritant environment while normal crowns are being prepared for them. Plastic dentures are made quickly, are cheap, and look like real he althy teeth. And on this, perhaps, the enumeration of their advantages can be completed.
As for the disadvantages, the list here is uncommonly long: acrylic, which is made up of prostheses, is a strong allergen; the material darkens over time and from the influence of external factors; the plastic is porous, due to which infections can enter the oral cavity; plastic crowns wear out quickly. It is unacceptable to use such prostheses for more than a year.
Zirconium
Both zirconium and aluminum crowns are the most esthetic denture options. Both those and others belong to metal-free crowns, from which the gums do not darken, there is no allergy, there is no irritation.
Prostheses from zirconium, or rather, from zirconia, are particularly durable and resistant, and you can use them for up to twenty years! Both in the first and in the twentieth year of operation, the crown looks equally aesthetically pleasing. Another advantage of such a prosthesis is the possibility of repeating the shape of the tooth and, accordingly, a tight fit to it. Zirconium does not cause allergies, which means that even those who have frequent problems in the oral cavity - stomatitis, for example, can use it.
Aluminum
These crowns are relatively new on the dental market, but have already become quite popular. Of course, their price is quite high, but, like their zirconium counterparts, they are very aesthetic, durable and hypoallergenic. Inferior to zirconium in strength.
Metal ceramics
These are combined type crowns (like all of the below). In terms of cost, they are neither the most expensive nor the cheapest. The advantages of such prostheses include high environmental friendliness, hypoallergenicity, biocompatibility. Metal-ceramic structures weigh little, respectively, a person does not have discomfort when eating. These crowns are both reliable and aesthetic - an inner part invisible to the eye is made of metal, and the one that is on public display is made of ceramics. You can install these prostheseson any teeth - even lateral, even front, which means that a dental crown made of metal-ceramic will always remain a priority.
Among the shortcomings, one can note the translucence of the frame when the gums are thinning, as well as a relatively short use - no more than ten years, even with careful operation.
Metal-plastic
You can start right away with the cons, and this is fragility in the first place. Due to the presence of plastic, in just two or three years of wearing, the prosthesis will look completely unpresentable, darken and will need to be replaced. Such crowns, like just plastic ones, are most often used as temporary ones. It is not recommended to use them for more than three years. The advantage of this prosthesis is low cost.
Metal-porcelain
Capable of maintaining a natural color for a long time without being exposed to any external influences. They are quite expensive and, unfortunately, not suitable for everyone: such crowns cannot be installed for people with malocclusion and fragile teeth. Also, this material cannot be used to make a bridge.
How to choose the right one
When deciding on the material for a denture, you should first think about where the crown will be located. Chewing teeth require dentures of greater strength - they can withstand the highest load. Beauty is more important for the front teeth in order for the smile to be attractive. Therefore, it is impossible to say 100% which dental crowns are better - it depends on many factors. For example, for the front it is bestmaterials such as ceramics or cermets are suitable, for the side ones - metal, cermet, gold. In general, it is best that the choice is made jointly with the orthodontist, who can take into account all wishes and, by combining price, quality and the specific case of a particular patient, is able to choose the most optimal option.
Installation steps
It is important to understand what will happen even before the procedure itself. The process of installing dentures on the teeth involves several stages. The first is an examination by a doctor and an x-ray. If there is a reason for that, then the next step is treatment, cleaning, filling and removal of the nerve. Depulpation is generally performed quite often when installing dental crowns - this reduces the risks.
The next phase is turning the tooth, and then creating an impression. It is on this cast that the prosthesis will be made - this is the next stage of installation. How long this process will take in time, it is impossible to say, because everyone is individual. But in general, the manufacture of a crown takes from three to fourteen days. When it is ready, it's time for the next stage - fitting. On it, if necessary, the product is adjusted so that it fits as perfectly as possible on the gum. And only after all these manipulations, the final phase is finally carried out - the installation of the prosthesis in the patient's oral cavity. To this end, doctors use a special adhesive for dental crowns.
Cost
The cost directly depends on the types of dental crowns. Their prices range from four(approximately) up to twenty thousand rubles. So, for example, the cheapest - metal ones - will cost at least four thousand in a good clinic, about the same amount will cost products made of metal-plastic. Ceramics will rise at ten thousand, and cermets at fifteen. Porcelain prostheses are at the same level, but zirconium is even more expensive, within twenty thousand rubles. The price of dental crowns may vary slightly depending on the clinic where the installation takes place.
Pain under the crown
What to do if suddenly a person begins to feel pain under dental crowns? And is it possible? Of course available. Most often, this occurs due to the development of secondary caries. And it is easily able to appear if the channels are treated poorly. Also, toothache under the crown can be triggered by pieces of food getting under the prosthesis and resulting inflammation. Be that as it may, if the tooth under the crown is sick, this is a signal that you need to immediately go to the doctor, remove the prosthesis, fix the problem and re-install the structure. Otherwise, with the greatest probability, the tooth under the crown will collapse completely - and then the case will end with its loss.
It is best to keep your teeth whole, he althy and intact, but if you still have a question about the need for a prosthesis, you should consult a doctor before making any decision. No need to be afraid and rush, because this prosthesis will stay with you for life.
