Choosing the Best Crowns for Your Teeth – Advice from Florida Dental Centers for Patients in Pinellas Park, FL

Crowns Pinellas Park FLThere are several types of dental crowns, and none can be considered the single “best” solution for all patients. Taking into account your individual circumstances, the dentists at Florida Dental Centers in Pinellas Park, FL, will be pleased to help you select the crowns that are best-suited for your specific needs and preferences.

Crowns vary in terms of strength, durability, and appearance. You might find the following brief summary of their differences to be helpful as you prepare for your appointment with a dentist at Florida Dental Centers in Pinellas Park, Florida. The main types of dental crowns are:

  • All metal – Made entirely of high-noble metal alloys, this type of crown offers outstanding strength, durability, and fit. As compared to ceramic-surfaced options, it requires slightly less tooth reduction to place, and its biocompatible surfaces won’t wear down opposing teeth. The main disadvantage of an all-metal crown is its metallic appearance (which is less of an issue when used to restore back teeth).
  • All ceramic – Fabricated of a glass-like compound, such as translucent porcelain, these crowns offer a realistic appearance that is aesthetically superior to other options. However, the tradeoff is the inherent brittleness of this material, which is prone to fracture. For these reasons, an all-porcelain crown might be a good choice for restoring a front tooth, where cosmetic appearance is a priority and significant strength is not required for chewing.
  • Porcelain fused to metal – A middle ground between all-metal and all-ceramic options, a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown can create an aesthetically pleasing appearance that offers greater strength than an all-porcelain crown.

Dental crowns can serve many important functions, but in some situations another type of dental restoration might be a better choice. For instance, a dentist might be able to place a filling instead, which is less invasive than a crown. Or, if the sole reason for a crown is aesthetic, porcelain veneers or tooth bonding might accomplish an acceptable cosmetic result.

If your current dentist has recommended one or more crowns for you, and you’d like a second opinion, you can turn with confidence to the dentists at Florida Dental Centers in Pinellas Park, FL. While you can expect the opinions of dentists to vary to a certain extent, you may want the added peace of mind of a second opinion, particularly if a dentist has suggested several crowns, or seems to address many dental issues by placing crowns. To find out more, contact us today.