Dental Crowns Bridges Calgary Downtown

Your teeth are a sensitive part of your body. Corrective treatments such as our tooth repair treatments are needed when you experience serious issues with your teeth. Restorative and cosmetic dental treatments that are designed to be safe and comfortable.

Dental crowns

A crown is a sheath that covers your existing tooth. The crown can restore the tooth to its original shape and size while also strengthening and protecting the tooth underneath the crown. Whether from decay, a tooth fracture or a failed restoration (e.g. fillings), a dental crown can help restore your teeth and even help your smile.

There are several types of dental crowns available and they can provide a great solution for damaged teeth.

Types of dental crowns

All-metal

All-metal crowns are created entirely out of metal. While the classic all-metal appears gold in coloration, other types of dental alloys, some of which have a ‘silver’ colour, may also be used.

Metal crowns are typically chosen for those applications where greater strength is required and cosmetic appearance is not a concern.

All-ceramic

All-ceramic crowns are made entirely out of some type of dental ceramic such as porcelain. When they’re created, most types are either handmade by a dental technician or computer milled out of a block of ceramic by a special machine. Both techniques have their own advantages.

All-ceramic crowns are typically placed in those situations where appearance or aesthetics is a big concern (The “Social teeth”). Advancements in dental technologies and materials now allow patients to choose from much more durable all-ceramic options.

Porcelain fused to metal

Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns (PFM crowns) can be thought of as a combination of all-metal and all-ceramic crowns. When PFMs are made, porcelain is fused to an underlying metal substructure in a high-heat furnace.

While in the past PFMs were the most common crown restoration, the underlying metal substructure does not allow light to pass through porcelain. This will make a PFM more opaque and may make it difficult to color match an existing natural tooth. The result is often an opaque or flat-looking tooth. 

PFM crowns may also leave a dark or grey line next to the gum line. This line is actually caused not from the metal showing but from the effect of blocking the light into the remaining tooth structure.

The facts about porcelain

All-porcelain crowns have a polish and shine similar to dental enamel.

Additionally, because dental porcelains now have the same hardness as tooth enamel, the crown is very durable. To take advantage of the maximum lifespan of your porcelain crowns, just treat them like you would treat your original teeth. Good oral hygiene, regular check-ups and cleanings will get the most mileage from your porcelain crown restoration.

No dental restoration will stand up to excessive wear from grinding and clenching. Even all-gold crowns can be worn down and will not last forever. We unfortunately do not have permanent dental materials. If you clench or grind your teeth, you can discuss this with your dentist about how to protect your teeth for your lifetime.

Porcelain crowns can be carefully matched in colour to look like your natural teeth. Many people choose porcelain crowns for their cosmetic appearance and the confidence it gives them. 

Some people prefer not to use gold because it stands out from their other teeth. At the same time, if the crown is on a back molar, some people feel the cosmetic issue is not a big one. We will discuss the types of materials available with you if a crown is recommended.