Dental Crowns for Restoring Damaged Teeth

Dental Crowns

When a tooth is badly damaged, for example severely cracked, broken or chipped, it needs treatment. That treatment may involve a dental crown, which restores the tooth so it works normally again, or reshapes it so the teeth look neater and more even, giving patients more confidence when they smile.

What Is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a cap that covers a damaged tooth. It restores and protects a tooth damaged by a fracture, or protects a tooth that has had root canal treatment. A crown can replace the visible part of a natural tooth or strengthen the tooth underneath.

The dentist covers the tooth with a crown made from one of several materials: full metal, all ceramic, or metal and ceramic combined (PFM). This gives the tooth strength and a natural appearance, and restores its original shape and function. The color can also be matched to the patient’s natural teeth.

การจัดฟัน(Orthodontics) คือการรักษาทันตกรรมเฉพาะทาง สาขาหนึ่งในการวิเคราะห์วินิจฉัยและวาง แผนป้องกันรักษาความผิดปกติของการ เรียงฟันการสบฟันรวมถึงปัญหาที่เกี่ยวกับขากรรไกรที่จำเป็นต้องสัมพันธ์กับใบหน้า เป็นการรักษาเพื่อให้ มีการสบฟันที่ดีขึ้น การบดเคี้ยว อาหารมีประสิทธิภาพลด ปัจจัยเสี่ยงในการเกิดฟันผุหรือโรคเหงือกอัน เนื่องมาจากฟันเรียงตัวผิดปกติฟัน ซ้อนเกหรือแปรงฟันไม่ทั่วถึงและ หลีกเลี่ยงการเกิดรอยสึกของฟันจาก การ เรียงฟัน หรือการสบฟันที่ไม่เหมาะสม นอกจากนี้การจัดฟันยังช่วยเสริมความ มั่นใจให้กับรอยยิ้มเสริมบุคลิกภาพจาก การที่มี ฟันเรียงกันสวยงาม

Who Needs a Dental Crown?

A crown corrects teeth with abnormalities so they are in good condition again and work as close to natural teeth as possible. Crowns suit patients with the following problems:

Extensive decay, where the cavity is wide and so little tooth structure remains that a filling is no longer possible
Cracked or fractured teeth
Teeth that have had root canal treatment, because the tooth structure becomes more brittle than a normal tooth

Crowns can also improve how the teeth line up when a tooth is abnormal after an accident, for example cracked, broken or chipped, or when its color and shape do not match the neighboring teeth.

A crown can restore confidence, giving well-aligned teeth and a smile patients feel good about.

What Is the Difference Between Crowns and Veneers?

Many patients wonder how crowns and veneers compare, since both aim to improve how the teeth look. The two treatments are similar in that both are cosmetic dentistry, but they differ in some ways. Veneers suit patients with minor problems, such as discolored teeth, teeth that do not bite together, uneven teeth or small teeth. Veneers remove less tooth structure because they are bonded only to part of the front surface, covering just the outer face of the tooth. A crown covers the entire outer surface of the tooth and fits over the whole tooth.

So which treatment is right for a particular problem? The dentist is the right person to answer, because choosing a treatment means looking at every aspect of the patient’s dental problem.

Why Are Dental Crowns Needed?

A crown makes the tooth stronger, improves chewing and helps the tooth last longer. For worn teeth, a crown prevents further wear. Crowns are fixed firmly in place and bond well to the tooth, so they are unlikely to come off during normal eating or talking.

Crowns can also improve the look of the smile, because they can change the shape and color of the teeth. For patients with dental implants, a crown on the implant gives a better bite. Crowns can be joined together as a dental bridge to replace missing teeth, and they also help prevent neighboring teeth from tipping over.

Types of Dental Crowns

Crowns are classified by material. The 3 most widely used types are:

Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns (PFM)
All-ceramic crowns
Full metal crowns

PFM and all-ceramic crowns both have the advantage of looking like natural teeth. Most dentists recommend choosing a crown based on the patient’s specific problem, for example:

PFM crowns replace molars used for chewing, so they suit back molars.
All-ceramic crowns replace front teeth. They suit front teeth because they are translucent and look like natural teeth. Ceramic today is also quite strong, so it can be used for back molars too.
Full metal crowns suit molars because they are very strong and durable, and they do not chip or crack the way ceramic can. Their metal color, however, may not suit patients who want a natural look.

Crowns made from other materials are also available for specific situations, as another option to fit each patient’s needs:

Stainless steel crowns (SSC) are prefabricated crowns made from stainless steel. They are commonly used on baby teeth in children and come out together with the baby tooth when the adult tooth comes in.
All-resin crowns are made from a plastic-like material with moderate strength. They are often used as temporary crowns during treatment.
Zirconia crowns are a type of all-ceramic crown designed and shaped by computer. They are very strong and look highly natural.

Dental Crown Procedure

Crowns are made by a dentist specializing in prosthodontics. The treatment is not completed in a single day. It takes several appointments, as follows:

First visit: the dentist takes the patient’s history and asks about the problem, checks the bite and gum health, takes X-rays and plans the treatment. The tooth is then prepared by trimming (local anesthetic is used for this step), impressions are taken, and the patient chooses the tooth shade. A temporary crown is then placed.

Second visit: about 1 week after the first visit, the dentist schedules an appointment to try on the crown. If it does not fit well, it may be adjusted slightly so it seats properly. The dentist checks the bite and the junction between the crown margin and the tooth enamel. Once everything fits, the crown is fixed in place with dental adhesive, and the treatment is complete.

How Much Does a Dental Crown Cost?

Crown prices vary with the material, from a few thousand to tens of thousands of baht, and also depend on the expertise of each dentist, clinic or hospital. At Smile And Co, crowns start at 18,000 THB per tooth.
Patients can see more details on our dental fees page.

How to Care for a Dental Crown

After the crown is placed, the dentist schedules a follow-up to check the teeth and mouth for unwanted side effects. For example, if decay was not fully removed, the dental pulp may become inflamed. If anything seems wrong, patients should see their treating dentist as soon as possible. If all is well, the dentist will schedule checkups every 6 months.

During this time, patients can brush and floss as usual. Brush at least twice a day, ideally after every meal. Above all, be careful to avoid chewing hard foods on the crowned tooth.

Where to Get a Dental Crown

Crowns should be done by a specialist dentist with experience and formal training in this field. The dentist needs to assess the patient’s overall oral health and the area to be crowned to plan treatment accurately, and to design a crown that matches the natural teeth. The clinic or hospital should also use materials and equipment that meet safety standards, with a proper system for cleaning and sterilizing all instruments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do dental crowns hurt?

There can be some discomfort with a crown. During treatment, local anesthetic is used to relieve pain as appropriate for each step. After treatment, there may be some soreness, such as gum pain around the crowned tooth, which pain relievers can ease.

Q: Can pregnant women get dental crowns?

Dentists usually advise postponing non-urgent crown treatment until after pregnancy. If treatment is necessary, it can be done under medical supervision. The dentist may need to coordinate with the patient’s obstetrician to confirm that she has no underlying conditions that could put the baby at risk.

Q: How long do dental crowns last?

Crowns usually last 10–20 years, depending on the material and how well they are looked after. Habits such as chewing ice or using the teeth to open or tear food packaging can shorten their lifespan.

Q: What problems can occur after getting a crown?

Some patients have tooth sensitivity, which usually goes away on its own within a short time. Pain relievers can reduce the sensitivity to some extent. While the crown is being made, inflammation can also occur if the crown is loose. Sometimes the cement holding the crown washes out, the crown loosens, and bacteria can get in, which can eventually cause inflammation and tooth decay.

Dental crowns treat and correct dental problems so the teeth work normally again, and they help restore confidence in the patient’s smile. Still, taking good care of the teeth from the start keeps natural teeth healthy for longer, which is always better than repairing them with crowns.

When oral health problems first appear, patients should see a dentist for treatment early. A thorough oral examination allows a complete treatment plan and the right choice of materials for each problem.