As part of your root canal treatment, your dentist will talk to you about having a dental crown inserted onto the tooth once the root canal work is done. In some cases, your dentist may talk to you about having a metal crown rather than a white one. Why does your dentist think that this is a good option?
Crowning Less Visible Teeth
While you wouldn't necessarily want a metal crown on a front tooth after root canal treatment – unless, of course, you're looking for a gangster-bling look – you may not be so worried about how the crown will look if you are having it fitted to a molar right at the back of your mouth where it won't be seen much, if at all.
Your dentist may simply feel that a coloured metal crown won't have a negative cosmetic impact in this part of your mouth and that a white tooth isn't necessarily essential. Plus, metal crowns do also have some advantages over other types of crowns that may be influencing your dentist's recommendation.
Harnessing the Advantages of Metal Crowns
Metal crowns can work better in some scenarios than white ceramic or porcelain crowns, so dentists may recommend metal crowns if they are looking to harness these benefits. For example, your dentist doesn't have to remove as much of your natural tooth to fit a metal crown; this kind of crown is also often stronger than other options, making it an especially good fit for molar teeth which take a lot of your chewing strain when you eat.
In some cases, your dentist may recommend a metal crown based on your oral habits. For example, if you suffer from bruxism and grind your teeth a lot, then you may be advised to use a metal crown, which is better able to withstand the pressures of grinding on the tooth.
While metal crowns have their benefits, you may not be happy having a coloured crown to replace a tooth, even if the crown will live at the back of your mouth. If this is the case, you can talk to your dentist about other options that give you more cosmetic appeal. If you need additional strength benefits, then you may also be able to have a crown fitted that is made from metal but that has a white coating.
Warning: If you are considering having a metal crown fitted and you have an allergy to a metal, you should tell your dentist about your allergy before choosing the right type of crown.
Share17 November 2016
Miranda Raff here. My brother is a stressed-out dental student, so I'm starting this blog on his behalf. I work in a travel agency and my brother is mortified by the number of dental tourism stories I bring home. I book short holidays for people who seem as though they are going to enjoy some relaxation in an exotic country, only to learn that they plan to have cheap dental procedures. Whilst there are good dentists in developing countries, according to my brother, the complex procedures these people plan to have simply can't be finished in such a limited time. This blog is an attempt to inform you about the high skill levels and advanced technology found in Australian dental surgeries. New techniques are being developed every year and Australian dentists are at the forefront of offering these solutions. I really hope this blog helps you to appreciate our dentists.
