A crown is nothing but a cap for damaged tooth to help restore it back to its normal shape, size and function. Your dentist may recommend putting a crown over a tooth that’s fragile in order to save the tooth.
Some of the specific situations where crowns are needed are:
- Support for a tooth where there isn’t enough natural material in case of filling
- Restoring fractured tooth
- Cover a dental implant
Types Of Dental Crowns
There are many materials available. The most common ones are:
- porcelain
- ceramic
- zirconia
- metal
- composite resin
When choosing the crown material, your dentist may recommend based on factors such as:
- Tooth’s location
- Position of your gum tissue
- The function of the tooth that needs the crown
- How much natural tooth is remaining
- Color of the surrounding teeth
You may also discuss this with your dentist based on your preference as well. Other than that, the types of crowns can also be differentiated into 2 other categories, i.e. temporary and one day crown.
Temporary crown, just as the name suggests, is the type of crown that’s placed temporarily in your mouth, while waiting for the permanent crown to be made. The crown is placed over your tooth with an adhesive that’s easily removed.
One day crown. For this type, you get the crown on the same day of your appointment. Some dental clinics may have this type available using techniques such as CAD/CAM to design and mill from a block of ceramic right from the office.
Steps To Place A Crown
There are 3 simple steps to place a crown over your existing tooth. The process is seamless and you won’t feel any pain.
- The first step involves your dentist removing the outer portion of the tooth, including the decay one. Your dentist will trim the surrounding area of your tooth material to accommodate the crown.
- Next step is to create an impression of your tooth. The impression can be made from a mold or by digitally scanning the tooth.
- Last step is to put the crown over your tooth, using a special material. Your dentist may choose to go for a temporary crown first while waiting for the permanent crown to be made, if they don’t have the one day crown type available.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
The lifespan of a dental crown may vary between 5 to 20 years, depend on the material used and how you use the tooth. In general, gold and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns tend to last the longest.
How Much Does A Dental Crown Cost In Bangkok?
On average, the cost of a dental crown in Bangkok varies between $800 to $1500 or even more, depends on the material used in the crown and the size of the tooth. Dental insurance may cover all or part of the cost of your crown. However, your plan may only cover certain kinds of crowns. Check with your insurance company to get coverage details.