Dental Crown

What is a Dental Crown?

A crown is an artificial dental restoration, created by a dental technician, designed to replace a single tooth. It is permanently fixed to the natural tooth stump with dental cement. Dental crowns at Kreativ Dental in Hungary are manufactured with excellent care but still come with a price saving of up to 60% compared to local prices.

When Is a Crown Needed?

A crown is recommended when the natural crown of a tooth is so damaged that it cannot be restored with fillings, inlays, or onlays. Here are some examples of when a crown may be necessary:

Extensive decay affecting multiple surfaces of a tooth, where fillings or inlays are insufficient.
Traumatic damage to a tooth, resulting in the loss of a large portion of it.
Discolored root canal-treated teeth for aesthetic reasons, or to protect the tooth from breaking.
Replacement of old, extensive fillings when a new filling is no longer feasible.
Closing gaps between front teeth.
Building a structure on a dental implant to replace a lost tooth.

Crowns can be made for natural teeth or for implants. While replacing a single tooth with a traditional bridge is possible, preparing healthy adjacent teeth as bridge pillars can be disadvantageous. In such cases, a dental implant may be a better option.

What Materials Are Used for Crowns?

Crowns can be made from the following materials.

Traditional Metal-Ceramic Crowns
Rarely used today due to lower aesthetics, potential allergic reactions to the metal base, and visible crown edges after gum recession over time.
Zirconia-Ceramic Crowns
Made from 100% metal-free, natural minerals, with a strong zirconia framework suitable for bridges. The frame is crafted using CAD/CAM technology and covered with porcelain, achieving excellent aesthetics.
Full Zirconia Crowns
Also created with CAD/CAM technology, where the entire tooth is carved out in 3D and then painted for a natural appearance.
Pressed Ceramic Crowns (IPS e.max)
Made entirely of ceramic, offering maximum aesthetic results. Ideal for front teeth but also suitable for molars due to its strength. These crowns mimic the light-transmitting properties of natural teeth.
Acrylic Crowns
Used temporarily until the permanent crown is ready. Depending on the duration of use, these may be created chairside or in a dental laboratory.

Steps for Making a Crown for a Natural Tooth

Preparation: The tooth is shaped under local anesthesia.
Impression: A mold is taken for the dental laboratory.
Temporary Crown: A temporary plastic crown protects the prepared tooth stump.
Fabrication: The permanent crown is made in a dental lab.
Fitting and Cementation: The crown is tried on, and if it meets aesthetic and functional requirements, it is permanently cemented.

Steps for Making a Crown on an Implant

A special impression head is attached to the implant, and a mold is taken (no anesthesia is typically required).
The dental lab fabricates the crown.
After fitting, the crown is secured onto the implant.

How Durable Is a Crown?

The average lifespan of a crown is approximately 10 years, but this depends heavily on oral hygiene and regular check-ups. Without proper care, issues such as decay or periodontal damage to the supporting tooth may require premature replacement. With good oral care and monitoring, crowns can last 15–20 years.

Advantages Compared to Alternatives

Aesthetics: Modern crown types like zirconia-ceramic and pressed ceramic crowns offer a more natural appearance compared to traditional metal-ceramic crowns.
Durability: Properly made and maintained crowns can last up to 15–20 years.
Biocompatibility: Modern materials are better tolerated by the body and cause fewer allergic reactions.

Risks

Tooth Decay: Poor oral hygiene can lead to decay under the crown, necessitating replacement.
Periodontal Problems: Gum or tissue inflammation around the crown can affect its longevity and stability.
Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may experience allergic reactions, particularly with metal-ceramic crowns.