What Are The Different Types Of Dental Crowns?

The different kinds of this procedure are classified by the type of Dental Crown that is used. There are 5 major types of Dental Crowns that can be put: 

All-Resin

An all-resin crown price is lesser than most other kinds of dental crowns. It is less durable than other forms of crowns and this type of crown is more prone to cap fractures. 

All-ceramic or All-Porcelain

This type of Dental Crown is ideal to be placed in the front of the mouth as it is most natural looking, but less strong than all-metal type. This type of crown takes a longer time to wear down. The added advantages of a ceramic crown is that:

• It matches the color of the teeth

• It is suitable for people with metal allergies

• These crowns are best suited for front teeth

Porcelain-fused-to-Metal 

The strength of this dental crown is only behind metallic ones. A small drawback is that, when using this type of dental crown, more wearing to the opposing teeth occurs than for the previous 2 types mentioned. Porcelain-fused-to-Metal dental Crowns are sued on the front and back teeth. These crowns look like normal teeth. 

Stainless Steel 

Stainless Steel crowns are mainly temporary measures. They are made earlier and kept. They are used to protect a damaged tooth until a permanent tooth is made. These are mainly used on children. 

Metals

Metallic crowns are easy to work with for your dentist and long lasting. However, their only drawback is that their color does not match with the tooth color. It is made up of costlier metals like gold, palladium, etc. or base metal alloys like nickel, chromium. These dental crowns bring the wearing down of the neighbouring teeth to a minimum. They are the most durable and rarely chip or break. 

What To Do Before A Dental Crown Procedure?

• The patient must submit their complete medical history, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and supplements etc. to the operating surgeon for a complete analysis of the patient’s dental condition. 

• Patients should not consume food or any drinks about 6 to 8 hours before surgery. 

• Dentists generally put a temporary crown into the patient's mouth a few weeks before the time of surgery and test its fit in the patient's mouth. 

• Before surgery, the doctor will get impressions of your teeth on moulds so that a perfect crown can be fixed.  

What Is The Post-Operative Care For A Dental Crown Procedure?

• There might be some pain after the permanent crown is placed which will come as a surprise to people who had a temporary one. This is because, the permanent crown comes directly in contact with the nerve. The doctor will prescribe appropriate medication for this. The patient must not take more medicine than prescribed. 

• Smoking should be stopped for a few days as Nicotine in the blood inhibits healing and prolongs recovery time. 

• Alcohol should be avoided while on medication as the medicines might react with alcohol and present a toxic result.  

• On the first day after surgery, after care measures are important. A cold compress should be applied to the appropriate side of the face to minimize swelling. 

What Are The Realistic Expectations From A Dental Crown Procedure?

• If you are planning to get dental crowns, you should keep in mind both the positive as well as the negative after effects of the procedure.

• The results of a dental crown include a functional, well protected and good looking tooth. 

• The procedure can lead to sensitivity of the tooth towards hot or cold food due to inflammation of the tooth pulp. 

• You might get an allergic reaction if the doctor fails to choose the appropriate material of the crown for you. 

What Are The Alternatives To A Dental Crown?

Following are the alternatives to avoid the time and the cost associated in getting a crown:
 

Tooth Filling

If the tooth is broken up or decaying, the simplest and cheapest thing is to remove the defective part and fill the cavity. This is not a long term solution and needs regular rework. Filling is generally done in assistance to the crown but can be performed singly to buy time until you get a more conclusive treatment.

Porcelain Onlays/Inlays 

This focuses on preserving more of your natural tooth shape. Onlays add to the decayed or broken part of the tooth whereas inlays fill up the hollow cavities. The porcelain is closely bonded with the existing tooth enamel. This technique requires high level of skills and is a terrific alternative to a dental crown.

Provisional Crowns 

A dentist can also offer provisional crowns which are bonded to the teeth until the patient finds a definitive solution. These are temporary crowns and generally last 3-9 months.

Tooth Extraction 

If the state of the tooth is beyond fixing, it is simply better to have it taken out. After the removal, empty space can be occupied by implants or dental bridges or a combination of both.

What Are The Temporary Side-Effects Of The Dental Crowns?

A few common complications can result after the installation of a dental crown. Some of these are: 

Allergic reaction 
The allergic reaction is most often caused by the material that the crown is made up of. The result is that the tooth doesn’t suit well to the crown. In such a case, get in touch with your doctor as soon as possible to determine the suitable course of action. 

Discomfort/ sensitivity
Any discomfort or sensitivity usually arises from the presence of an alien object in the mouth. To ease this, take the medicine prescribed by your doctor regularly. In addition, eat soft foods like soups and ice creams for a week to facilitate the adjustment process.

Loose crown 
Avoid eating sticky food in the days that follow the procedure, as it can cause the crown to become loose before it firmly sticks to the tooth. If the crown is loose, it can cause further risks, like the development of a cavity between the crown and the tooth. Make sure that you report the loose crown to your doctor, as soon as you realise it, in order to avoid any infection. 

Chipped crown 
A chipped crown is often the result of a badly performed procedure. The crown gets chipped if the surgeon fails to gently apply the crown. At times, the crown can also get chipped if you chew or bite too harshly. In such a case, get the crown replaced before it leads to a cavity formation. Also, ensure that your surgeon has the required expertise for the procedure. 

How To Choose A Surgeon For A Dental Crown Procedure?

Choosing a surgeon for a dental crown should not be a tough job, be it in your home country, or a country abroad. The procedure is relatively simple and doesn’t require the medical staff to have a lot of expertise. However, while choosing a surgeon abroad, make sure that he/she follows international standards of treatment and care. You can do this by checking his/her certification as a medical practitioner, in addition to their educational background, as well as the accreditation status of the hospital in the international platform. You can even have a chat with the doctor and get insight into his/her practical knowledge about the procedure is. 

With medical tourism facilitators, choosing a surgeon is as easy to do by sitting thousands of miles away, as it is by actually meeting him/her.