When a tooth is decayed, split, or damaged to a point that simply replacing the defective part with a filling would not work well or last very long, a crown is recommended. Many people today have one type of crown or another.
Crowns have been around for a long time. The ancient Etruscans are acknowledged by many historians as the fathers (and perhaps mothers) of dental crowns. They used gold to fashion new teeth that were superimposed over the old, broken ones. Examples of their work dates back to 166 of our Common Era.
Although gold is still a much-used material for crowns, many people today are looking for an option that more closely reproduces the natural tooth look. Therefore, engineered ceramics and various resins are widely used in making crowns today.
Some of the latest and most reliable materials in use today include crowns that are milled or pressed from a very hard, dense material, such as lithium disilicate or zirconia. After the base is made, in some instances, dental technicians add layers of advanced ceramics to further reproduce the look of a tooth and match the surrounding dentition. The result is a very durable, visually-pleasing tooth that only an expert could discern from a real tooth.
A custom-made dental crown today not only looks beautiful but should last a long time. If you’re looking for a durable, attractive replacement to a broken or badly decayed tooth, come see how we can help you improve your smile with crowns.
