What is a Full Coverage Crown

A crown is literally a cap for a tooth needing protection. It can be fabricated from a variety of materials, including porcelain or metal.

You may have a crown on a molar that seldom shows, or you could have crowns on your front teeth that were custom designed to match your other natural teeth.

The primary purpose of a dental crown is to renew the structural integrity of a tooth. Also called a full coverage restoration, a crown will strengthen your tooth, improve your healthy smile, and return the natural function you need to bite, chew, and eat your favorite foods without any discomfort.

Are You a Candidate for a Full Coverage Crown?

If you have a large cavity that is too large for a dental filling, it might be time for a full coverage crown. You might also need a crown if your tooth is:

* Severely worn down.

* Cracked or chipped.

Crowns are also often recommended after a root canal on a tooth since the tooth is now more fragile and will need protection.

You might be a candidate for a crown if you are missing a tooth, and your dentist needs to place a dental bridge or a dental implant.

There is state-of-the-art technology available today to match the exact shape of your tooth to ensure your permanent crown both looks and feels natural in your mouth.

A full coverage crown can help a variety of conditions including:

* A broken or fractured tooth.

* Decayed or a lost filling.

* A cavity under an existing crown.

* A dental implant restoration.

A full coverage crown is a long-term solution to help protect the natural tooth and return full function along with a natural and healthy appearance.

What to Expect

When receiving a full coverage crown at your dental office, you should expect to:

* Receive efficient, personalized care.

* Understand all of your options as well as the benefits and any risks.

* Be treated such that you are as comfortable as possible throughout your entire treatment.

* Receive thorough instructions regarding post-treatment care and any follow-up treatments.

The Life Expectancy of a Full Coverage Crown

The lifespan of a full coverage crown can be 15 to 30 years. Each crown and situation are different, so they might last longer. For example, a recent study subjected three distinct types of full coverage crowns to high bite forces and found that zirconia crowns were the least likely to crack or split. This is a crown made from a solid piece of material.

Researchers used various models for their experiments. They also suggested that variations in crown placement and other factors could also affect your actual results. As a general rule, gold crowns and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns tend to actually last the longest. All-ceramic and all-porcelain crowns will look more natural, but they are usually not as strong as the metal or porcelain-fused-to metal versions. All-resin full coverage crowns tend to wear down faster as well. If taken care of properly, your full coverage crown can last many years.

Related: Partial vs Full Coverage Crowns