Difference Between Dental Caps & Crowns
There is no difference between a dental cap and a crown. The terms are used interchangeably to describe the same dental restoration treatment of covering the part of the tooth that lies above and at the gum line.
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Function
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Crowns can be used to protect a weak tooth from breaking, hold together parts of a cracked tooth, cover a misshaped or severely discolored tooth, hold a bridge in place, cover a dental implant, cover a tooth with a large filling, cover a tooth after root canal therapy or for a variety of other reasons.
Features
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Crowns are made from a dental impression that is taken of the tooth that needs the cap, along with the surrounding teeth. The impression is then sent to a lab, were crown that will fit the patient's mouth is made using the impression as a guide.
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Types
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Dental crowns can be made from metal (gold alloy, nickel, chromium), porcelain fused to metal, ceramic or resin.
Costs
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According to a Dec. 26, 2007, article on MedicineNet.com, crowns generally cost between $500 and $900 depending on what part of the country the procedure was done in, and what materials were used; a porcelain crown was typically more expensive than a gold crown, and a gold crown was typically more expensive than porcelain fused to metal crown. Generally insurance covered a portion of the cost of a crown.
Time Frame
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Dental crowns generally last between five and 15 years, depending on the amount of wear and tear, oral hygiene practices and the materials used.
Warning
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Dental crowns can cause discomfort or sensitivity, or become chipped, loose or fall off.
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