Crowns

[novaman]

Okay guys. I'm a practicing dentist so I'll give you my two cents on the various comments made.

- Most crown turn around times are 1-2 weeks. Although you can do it in a day or two if necessary

- Cerec is a great technology to have. It is true that the scanning allows you to get the crown within hours. But it is not true that the fit is better than a lab. I think they are more or less comparable. the negatives on cerec is that the crown is actually weaker than most lab made crowns, due to the material being used (porcelain block). Also cerec is a less esthetic crown due to the inablility to create any translucency in the porcelain, although if it is a tooth in the back of your mouth you won't notice the difference.

- The metal content of a crown is important. Not only from a health standpoint, but from a casting quality standpoint. Many people have metal sensitivities so you want to use gold, palladium, or titanium....Not lead!

[honobob]

Originally Posted by novaman

Okay guys. I'm a practicing dentist

Well, you lost me there!

[cute fuzzy bunny]

I agree...a porcelain on gold crown is pretty much your best bet for appearance and long lasting life.

[Dawg52]

Had my crown installed this afternoon but the crown I broke 2 days ago wasn't the temporary one, it was a permanent crown. But the good news is......it was only 16 months old so they are going to replace that one for free.

Guess I need to start eating soft stuff like my 90 year old mom.

[Moemg]

Originally Posted by Dawg52

Had my crown installed this afternoon but the crown I broke 2 days ago wasn't the temporary one, it was a permanent crown. But the good news is......it was only 16 months old so they are going to replace that one for free.

Guess I need to start eating soft stuff like my 90 year old mom.

I have enough crowns in my mouth to be royality and I have never had one break . Sounds like it was a faulty crown .

[Janet H]

Originally Posted by Dawg52

Had my crown installed this afternoon but the crown I broke 2 days ago wasn't the temporary one, it was a permanent crown. But the good news is......it was only 16 months old so they are going to replace that one for free.

Guess I need to start eating soft stuff like my 90 year old mom.

Glad you got new chompers... but I don't think you should have to restrict your food choices. Good crowns should stay put and feel like the original tooth - or maybe better if it was full of old amalgam filling.

[mn54]

There are lots of different types of crowns. Lets start with the basics. There are three different types of "permanent" crowns. All metal, i.e gold, porcelain fused to metal, and all ceramic. 90% of crowns are porcelain fused to metal. They fit well, last a long time if done well, and have been around a long time. If esthetics are not a concern like on a back molar that does not show, a gold crown is a good choice. Least irritation to the gums and you do not have to worry about the porcelain chipping. Also the kindest to the opposing teeth. The newest crowns are the all ceramic crowns. One example would be the Cerec crowns done in one visit at the dentists office. These will probably not look as nice as the ones done in a dental lab because the lab will a combination of porcelains, some more translucent, and will use stains and glazings that usually are not done in a dentists office. There are many different types of ceramics/porcelain that a crown can be made out of. Some are much stronger, some are more esthetic. It depends on if it is a front tooth or a back tooth. I hope that helps a little.

[youbet]

Originally Posted by Dawg52

Guess I need to start eating soft stuff like my 90 year old mom.

Oh, give her a break. Eat mashed potatoes or soup or something. She'd probably be tough anyway!

[Rich_in_Tampa]

Originally Posted by mn54

There are lots of different types of crowns. Lets start with the basics. There are three different types of "permanent" crowns. All metal, i.e gold, porcelain fused to metal, and all ceramic. 90% of crowns are porcelain fused to metal. They fit well, last a long time if done well, and have been around a long time. If esthetics are not a concern like on a back molar that does not show, a gold crown is a good choice. Least irritation to the gums and you do not have to worry about the porcelain chipping. Also the kindest to the opposing teeth. The newest crowns are the all ceramic crowns. One example would be the Cerec crowns done in one visit at the dentists office. These will probably not look as nice as the ones done in a dental lab because the lab will a combination of porcelains, some more translucent, and will use stains and glazings that usually are not done in a dentists office. There are many different types of ceramics/porcelain that a crown can be made out of. Some are much stronger, some are more esthetic. It depends on if it is a front tooth or a back tooth. I hope that helps a little.

Didn't realize there were so many variables.

What are the choices after an implant? Same materials, or are you limited? I have one tooth that may need replacement, though my dentist is valiantly trying to keep this molar in the game with creative amalgams. It fractured long ago, has had a root canal, and is probably hanging on by a thread (asymptomatically, thankfully).

[novaman]

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa

Didn't realize there were so many variables.

What are the choices after an implant? Same materials, or are you limited? I have one tooth that may need replacement, though my dentist is valiantly trying to keep this molar in the game with creative amalgams. It fractured long ago, has had a root canal, and is probably hanging on by a thread (asymptomatically, thankfully).

With implants you have the same material choices. If esthetics are important be sure to ask for a cementable crown restoration as apposed to a screw retained one.

[Bimmerbill]

I just had my implant crown installed last Thursday. Was expensive, about $2K for the implant, another $2K for the tooth. Insurance paid about 40% maybe?

Anyways, it was a front bottom tooth (I was born with only 2 of the 4) and I ended up with a pretty big space when I had my braces.

Works pretty good so far!

[stargazer08]

I have had both the traditional crowns and the 1 hour crowns. I think my 1 hour crown is more aesthetically pleasing. There is no ugly metal showing at the gum line.

[Rambler]

Mine were a week to 10 days, depending on whether or not I had a rush order or not.

If they were made in China be sure to get the discount passed along to you...with average factory worker wages at about $100 a month, you would be getting sc*@wed if you had to pay 800-1000 for it. And, be careful of the quality!

R

[NotReady4Purple]

Originally Posted by youbet

Oh, give her a break. Eat mashed potatoes or soup or something. She'd probably be tough anyway!

People are going to wonder why I can't stop giggling.

[haha]

My crowns are gold. They show when I laugh or smile broadly. I really don't care - I like gold anyway.

Ha

[kumquat]

Originally Posted by Dawg52

Mine cost $870. Still have dentist insurance so it cost me 1/2 that price. But it runs out soon so might be time to look for a new dentist. Chaps my butt to cost that much and 8 weeks later, I don't have it.

I lost my insurance last year when I retired. Dentist is a friend. $900 if paying any way but cash (as in bills), $600 otherwise.