Discover Why Placing A Front Tooth Crown Is More Challenging

Damaged, injured, or decayed teeth cause pain and discomfort and affect aesthetics. Restoring a tooth with a crown is a common and necessary dental treatment in such cases. Both front and back teeth may require crowns. Still, for obvious positions like front teeth, in addition to restoring the tooth’s functionality, a Front Tooth Crown must also meet optimal aesthetic standards, allowing patients to regain a natural smile. This is the key challenge of placing a Front Tooth Crown compared to molars.

The following article will provide you with essential information about what a Front Tooth Crown is, the cases in which it is indicated, the best types of Front Tooth Crowns, and the procedure for placing a Front Tooth Crown.

What Is Front Tooth Crown?

A Front Tooth Crown is a cap placed over a damaged, decayed, or discolored front tooth to restore its shape, function, and aesthetics. There are various types of Front Tooth Crowns, such as metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), all-ceramic, or zirconia crowns. However, some types, like metal and porcelain-fused-to-metal, may not meet aesthetic requirements, making them less popular. On the other hand, thanks to their durability, translucency, and ability to mimic the natural appearance of real teeth, all-ceramic or zirconia crowns are excellent and more suitable choices for Front Tooth Crowns today.

When Should You Get A Front Tooth Crown?

• Tooth decay: Typically, tooth decay is treated with fillings. However, in severe cases where significant enamel structure must be removed, your front tooth may require additional support. A Front Tooth Crown is a solution to protect the tooth from further decay while restoring its function and aesthetics.
• Preventing and repairing damage: Front teeth can become weak, worn, chipped, or cracked due to trauma or biting hard objects, leading to a loss of their original shape, chewing function, and speech ability. In such cases, dentists will recommend a Front Tooth Crown, which helps prevent further damage, protect the tooth, and restore its aesthetic appearance and functionality.
• Discolored or stained teeth: Over time, front teeth can become stained or discolored due to food, medications, or genetic factors. In cases where traditional whitening treatments are ineffective, a Front Tooth Crown can completely cover the discoloration. The natural hues of materials like porcelain and zirconia ensure a perfect restoration of the tooth’s natural color.
• After root canal treatment: Root canal treatment is more common for molars, but in some cases where a front tooth is severely decayed or damaged, root canal treatment may still be necessary. This process is usually simpler for front teeth due to the shorter distance between the tooth’s exterior and the root. However, after the treatment, the tooth often becomes weak and prone to breakage. A Front Tooth Crown helps protect the treated tooth and extend its lifespan.

The Most Common And Best Types Of Front Tooth Crown

There are many types of crowns used for front teeth. However, due to the aesthetic and functional demands of these positions, crowns made from metal, plastic, or even PFM (porcelain-fused-to-metal) have gradually become less popular. Instead, crowns made from ceramic, porcelain, and zirconia are now the preferred choices.

1. Emax

Considered the most advanced version of ceramic crowns to date, IPS e.max is renowned for its natural appearance, durability, and strength. These ceramic crowns offer high flexibility and exceptional flexural strength, allowing them to withstand significant biting and chewing forces. The glass-ceramic crystals enable the creation of thin, lightweight restorations with translucency that mimics how light passes through natural teeth, achieving the most realistic color match. For this reason, they are especially favored for restoring front teeth, where aesthetics are of utmost importance.

However, due to their high-quality materials and manufacturing process, IPS e.max crowns are relatively expensive, posing a significant challenge for patients with limited budgets. Additionally, most of these crowns are not covered under standard insurance plans, further limiting their affordability.

IPS Emax

2. Porcelain Fused to Zirconia

PFZ (porcelain-fused-to-zirconia) crowns are a perfect combination of zirconia and an aesthetic porcelain coating, closely mimicking the natural translucency of teeth, creating a seamless blend with the existing teeth. For cases that require maximum natural aesthetics, such as in the front tooth area, PFZ crowns are also one of the most ideal choices.

Porcelain Fused To Zirconia

3. High Translucent Zirconia

High translucent Zirconia has a translucency similar to natural teeth and the ability to blend seamlessly with the surrounding tooth color, allowing it to perfectly match any shade. This provides the aesthetic appeal of Lithium Disilicate while offering greater stability, higher durability, and a lower cost.

High Translucent Zirconia

4. Monolithic Zirconia

With flexural strength comparable to traditional PFM (Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal) restorations, monolithic zirconia is a significant advancement, offering one of the most durable solutions. Although front teeth do not experience heavy chewing forces, in certain cases, such as patients with severe bruxism, those requiring long-term restorations, or individuals with limited budgets, monolithic zirconia is an exceptionally suitable choice.

Monolithic Zirconia

The Procedure For Placing A Front Tooth Crown

The procedure for placing a Front Tooth Crown is similar to that of any standard crown procedure, starting with an initial consultation to assess the condition of the tooth and determine whether a front tooth crown is the right solution for you. After confirming the diagnosis, discussing, and selecting the appropriate type of crown, the dentist will carefully shape and trim the damaged tooth from all sides. Depending on the types of crowns being used, the dentist will determine the amount of enamel that needs to be shaped or removed. This process is usually performed under local anesthesia to ensure maximum comfort.

Next, the dentist will take an impression of the tooth. This can be done using a physical mold made from dental impression materials or through a digital scanner. These impressions are then sent to a dental laboratory, where technicians will fabricate the crown to match the shape, size, and color of the natural teeth.

While waiting, a temporary crown will be placed over the prepared tooth to protect it and maintain functionality. Once the crown is completed, it will be sent to the dental clinic. The dentist will remove the temporary crown, clean the tooth, and check the fit and color of the new crown. This fitting may require several adjustments to achieve a perfect fit. Once the desired fit and color are achieved, the permanent crown will be securely cemented in place using durable dental cement.

Why is the Front Tooth Crown always the biggest challenge? This is because it is an area that requires both functional and aesthetic restoration. To achieve the best results, in addition to the skill of the dentist, choosing the right type of Front Tooth Crown that matches the patient’s needs, specific condition, and budget is also crucial. For this reason, selecting a laboratory that provides high-quality products is a top priority. NSW Dental Lab is confident in being a laboratory that meets all standards and is ready to fulfill your needs quickly and accurately. Contact us today to take advantage of our exciting offers.