Traditionally, crowns are used to fix imperfections in the back teeth as they appear to be hard-to-reach areas when brushing and flossing.
Consequently, molars are damaged more, hence the need for the root canal and dental crown arises.
As front teeth are visible during interactions, we want to keep them clean and healthy.
47% of people notice a smile as the first thing they do when they meet someone new, as per a survey for USA Today by Philips Sonicare.
However, you may still get cavities, trauma, or gum disease in your front teeth, which needs to be fixed.
If you don’t feel confident about your smile and you have discolored and worn-out front natural teeth, you may need front teeth crowns or veneers.
Today, we will focus solely on front teeth crowns and guide you when /if you should have them to regain your confidence.
Crown On A Front Tooth Explained
What are front teeth crowns?
A dental crown or a cap is a dental prosthesis designed to fix damaged teeth. They usually replicate the visible portion of the tooth in the mouth to restore the structure and function independently.
Usually, crowns are given after procedures like root canal treatment. However, you may sometimes need a crown to fix the shortcomings in your front-facing teeth.
Ideally, with minor problems like discoloration and chipping, conservative restorative approaches are adopted, which include direct and indirect veneering.
However, the crown is sometimes the only option left to help you mimic the appearance of natural teeth.
Common reasons for getting dental crowns on front teeth
You would need to restore the shape, color, and strength of your teeth to correct multiple issues.
Carries are uncommon in your front teeth; if caught early, you may not need front crowns.
However, if the issue is unattended, the caries may reach the pulp, making the tooth painful and sometimes infectious.
Getting the root canal treatment for such teeth is the only option, followed by crown placement.
You may also need crowns for your front teeth if you have had a dental trauma and your tooth is chipped or cracked, affecting its overall appearance.
Sometimes, teeth undergo intrinsic discoloration, and it’s necessary to cover the brown stains with veneers independently. Specifically, tetracycline staining and conditions like amelogenesis imperfecta and dentinogenesis imperfecta seek crown-based restoration for color correction.
Dental Crown Options
Crowns vary from each other in several aspects, one of which is how they are formed and crafted to fit your teeth.
The type of crown you’ll get will indeed depend on your preference, so you must discuss the options with your dentist before agreeing to one.
1) Temporary Crowns:
The preparation process includes cutting your natural tooth about 2mm from the frontal aspect and 1.5 mm from the non-frontal aspect.
This reduces the overall dimensions of the tooth, making it appear shapeless and smaller than the neighboring teeth.
Permanent crowns are prepared in dental laboratories and would need a few days before they are ready for cementation.
Till then, you need an alternative to fix your prepared tooth. Your dentist will provide a temporary crown that resembles your permanent crown in shape and color, but it’s little and may break easily upon biting.
2) Onlay or 3/4 Crown
As the name suggests, 3/4 of onlays cover only a part of the tooth when the patient doesn’t need a crown covering the complete tooth.
The area where the onlay has to be received is prepared. Next, the shade of the tooth is matched and recorded before the impression is taken. The impressions are then sent to the laboratory for preparation.
3) Same Day Crown
CAD/CAM technology has allowed dentists to complete the crown fabrication process the same day in a single visit.
The digital impressions are taken to record the exact anatomy, shape, and size of the tooth.
After a final design is achieved, a milling machine creates a replica of the design to provide you with the crown the same day.
Types of Dental Crowns for Front Teeth
Porcelain crowns:
If you want to correct your smile or want it to mimic your restored tooth with the neighboring tooth, you must get porcelain crowns.
These are durable, aesthetically pleasing, and biocompatible, beautifying your restorative process and outcome.
However, they may cost you a lot and may force you to spend more if the cost is not covered by dental insurance.
Ceramic crowns:
The hybrid nature of porcelain fused to metal crowns makes it robust and resistant to breakage often. These are best at meeting strength and aesthetics requirements at a time and are affordable compared to all-porcelain crowns.
Such crowns also require less tooth reduction from the non-facial surface, saving most of the tooth structure.
One of the drawbacks of three crowns is that a metal show is reflected from the gummy margin and may demand replacement over time.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns:
Poreclain fused to metal crowns are hybrid crowns where metal and poreclain are fused to form a crown with better appearance and strength.
These provide superior esthetics while offering metallic strength that isn’t invisible with all ceramic and all-porcelain crowns.
If you have a gummy smile, you would probably need to ask your dentist about the metallic show that will appear in your smile.
Zirconia crowns
Zirconia is an all-ceramic crown produced with a material called zirconium oxide. It is more robust than porcelain and causes less damage to the opposite natural teeth. It offers immaculate smoothness and tooth finish, helping it to resemble natural teeth the most.
Composite resin crowns
Resin crowns are the best option if you use the most affordable ones. These are made of resin material, also known as composite, which offers more excellent aesthetics but less durability.
These are usually constructed chair-side, and you have to wait for days until your crown is fabricated by a laboratory and sent back to the clinic.
Procedure for Getting Dental Crowns on Front Teeth
Initial consultation and examination
This step includes thorough consultation and examination. The process starts when your dentist asks you questions about your medical and dental history and your expectations from the procedure.
X-ray and 3D imaging are performed if needed to know the health of the teeth. The consultation aims to devise a tailored plan to make your smile beautiful.
Tooth preparation
The tooth has to be prepared to receive the crown. Firstly, you’ll have local anesthesia around your tooth to numb it.
The dentist will carefully remove parts of your tooth to make it an ideal crown base.
Usually, 2mm is removed from the front-facing surfaces and 1.5mm from the non-facial surfaces. Additionally, tooth filling may be needed if compromised or damaged.
Impressions and temporary crowns
Once your tooth is prepared, your dentist will capture it as an impression to send to the laboratory. The models are ready with impressions to replicate the contours of the prepared tooth and the related gums.
Now, custom crows are fabricated on the models by the laboratory as per the shade guide and the material preference provided.
Meanwhile, your dentist will provide a temporary crown crafted with composite resin or acrylic and secured with temporary cement.
Placement of permanent crowns
The permanent crowns get ready within two to three weeks. Your dentist will inform you once your crown is prepared. He’ll remove your temporary crown and will clean your prepared tooth.
The permanent crowns are cemented with a permanent filling and are adjusted in a bite. How do you feel about the crown, and would you like some adjustments?
Before you leave the dental office, he’ll ensure the crown is accurate and meets the functional and aesthetic needs of the patient.
Followup appointments and care instructions
Follow-up appointments are meant to recheck whether the functional and aesthetic needs of the crown are met. The dentist will provide crown care instructions and he’llhe’llre you follow them.
Cost of Dental Crowns on Front Teeth
Factors influencing the cost:
Financing for dental crowns may give you an added headache if you have a limited earning. The front teeth crowns vary in price range depending on the material used.
Composite resin crowns are the cheapest as these are prepared on the chair side and need no laboratory production help.
However, crowns made up of zirconium and CAD/CAM technology are expensive and may go as high as $3500 per crown.
Average cost range for different types of dental crowns
Porcelain crowns are a popular option for replacing front teeth for a natural look. The material ranges somewhere between $800 to $3000.
If you’re looking for the best possible material that combines esthetics with durability and strength, you must go for zirconium crowns. They range between $1500 to $3500.
However, porcelain fused to metal crowns can be achieved less, between $500 to $1500.
Insurance coverage and financing options
The American Dental Association says 33% of Americans don’t have dental coverage.
This means many Americans don’t have access to critical dental care and may need to pay out of pocket for procedures like dental crowns and implants.
If you already have dental insurance, your dental plan might cover the full or partial cost of crowns.
Most dental insurance will cover the cost since these are restorative procedures necessary for maintaining dental health.
Potential Outcomes and Considerations
Benefits of dental crowns on front teeth
1. Uplifts Your Smile: To correct the damage in front teeth, like chipping, discoloration, and irregular shape, dental crowns are the second best option after veneers.
2. Restores the function: Front teeth are used to bite and aid in speaking. Restoration of damaged teeth with crowns allows you to carry out the function quickly.
3. Durability: Durability is enhanced when materials like ceramic and porcelain are used, which have the property to withstand biting forces.
4. Protection: Teeth that undergoes root canal weakness. Crowns are used to strengthen already weakened teeth.
Risks and potential complications
1. Sensitivity: Some patients may experience sensitivity to hot and cold foods, which may subside with time. This is due to the removal of tooth enamel.
2. Allergic Reactions: Some people are allergic to metals, so people opting for porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns must be cautious about their needs.
3. Decay and Gum Diseases: Tooth decay or gum diseases may happen if crowns aren’t correctly installed and oral hygiene is not maintained.
Front Tooth Crown Vs. Veneers
Although the purpose of both prostheses is the same: to restore the smile by removing the damage, they are different from each other.
Crowns cover the entire portion of the tooth, while porcelain veneers cover only the front-facing tooth surface.
Veneering is a conservative approach to restoring the smile, making it aesthetically pleading without removing a lot of tooth structure.
Crowns demand a complete tooth preparation from all 4-sides of the tooth to fit it just like the T-shirt fits on the body.
