Plastic dental crowns. Plastic crowns are used as temporary crowns only. They are not suitable for permanent use, because the durability of plastic is low. Plastic is porous material, therefore it changes its colour with long-term use and becomes yellowish and darker.

Fiberglass dental crowns. Fiberglass crowns are essentially long-term use temporary crowns. They are plastic crowns that contain glass fibers. Glass fibers improve the load durability parameters of the crowns.

Cast dental crowns. Cast dental crowns are made of a metal alloy. Usually the main components of the alloy are chromium and cobalt (silver colour crowns) or gold (golden colour crowns). Cast crowns are principally used for the restoration of lateral teeth due to economic considerations. These crowns are not aesthetically pleasing, but they are very durable and, therefore, they perform the functions of chewing function restoration and bite stabilisation.

Metal-ceramic dental crowns. Metal-ceramic crowns have a metal frame covered with a ceramic surface. The metal frame ensures durability, while the ceramic serves aesthetic purposes. Metal-ceramic crowns are the most frequently manufactured type of crowns. The aesthetic properties of these crowns is acceptable, however, they are not used for the restoration of front teeth nowadays due to reasons of gingival aesthetics. The margin of metal frame can be seen through the gum and produce bluish tone. The layer of ceramics in the perigingival area of the crown is thin, therefore, the colour of the crown is opaque-acceptable, however not ideal in terms of aesthetic considerations. The perigingival areas of lateral teeth are usually invisible, therefore metal-ceramic crowns are widely used in the area of lateral teeth.

Ceramic dental crowns. Ceramic dental crowns are aesthetically pleasing, but more fragile than other types of crowns. They are used for the restoration of front teeth that serve the function of biting off pieces of food, instead of chewing.

Galvano-ceramic dental crowns. Galvano-ceramic crowns are similar to metal-ceramic crowns, however their frame is covered with a thin layer of gold, which improves aesthetics by providing a more natural appearance of the teeth. These crowns are used for the restoration of front teeth.

Zirconia dental crowns. Zirconia crowns are aesthetically pleasing, as well as durable. They are the optimum solution for the restoration of front and lateral teeth. These crowns are universal. There are two technologies for the production of these crowns. Zirconia crowns can be produced from a zirconia oxide frame covered with ceramic, as well as they can be entirely produced of zirconium oxide. The combination of zirconia and ceramic ensures high precision and perfect aesthetics, therefore, this type of zirconia crown is produced most commonly. Pure zirconium crowns are extraordinarily hard and durable, however, they look less natural than ceramic, therefore they are used less frequently. Zirconia crowns differ from metal-ceramic crowns by their high precision and perfect aesthetics. High precision is ensured by the use of digital technologies for the production of these crowns. These crowns are lighter than metal ceramic crowns.

Prosthetic procedures occupy a lot of time, therefore the visits must be planned in advance. The number of visits usually ranges from 2 to 4. There are 2 – 4 business days between the visits, which are required for dental technicians to complete the particular phase of crown production.

Usually, the first visit is a consultation. The dentist performs an examination during the visit (visual inspection and X-Ray examination), provides information on the required procedures, therapy course and costs, as well as helps in selecting the suitable type of dental crown.

The manufacturing of crowns may take a time period from 2 days to 3 weeks.

During the second visit, the tooth scheduled for restoration shall be polished and a temporary crown is applied. The physician takes impressions that are later sent to the technical dental laboratory. Fitting is performed during the third and fourth visit. Fitting is required to test precision, colour and bite. During the fifth visit, the crown is usually cemented. If the most part of the tooth is damaged and deficiency of tissue used for the fixation of crown is present, root inlay is produced for the tooth. It is cemented to the dental root and creates a basis for the application of the crown. The inlay transfers the load of chewing on the root of the tooth. Usually 2 visits are required for the production of the root inlay. During the first visit, the dentist takes the impression and cements the inlay during the second visit.

Temporary crowns have an aesthetic, as well as gingival health maintaining function.

Many patients are worried that they will have to walk with polished teeth during the preparation of the crowns, however, nowadays dentists always insert temporary teeth before letting the patient go home.

The service life of crowns can differ (from 5 to 25 years). It is affected by the bite, health status of gums, hygiene and daily habits of people. For instance, bruxism or grinding of teeth exerts additional load on the crown of the tooth. In these cases, the use of mouthguards is recommended (for more information on night mouthguards, click here).

Crowns, like real teeth, must be cleaned regularly, dental floss must be used between them.