For small cavities, a filling is the best treatment. But sometimes fillings will get so large that a tooth is at risk of fracturing. Some of these fractures can make a tooth un-restorable. For that reason, when the damage to your tooth is extensive, Dr. Peterson will recommend a crown (sometimes called a cap) that covers the entire tooth and prevents fracturing.
There are many types of crowns. Here are the types he offers:
- Zirconia – Zirconia is a space-age ceramic that, because of its strength, has been nicknamed “ceramic steel.” It makes it possible to do metal-free crowns on back teeth under the heaviest chewing pressures. It can also be used for metal-free bridgework.
- eMax – Combining strength and beauty, eMax crowns are made with a high-strength ceramic core overlaid with beautiful feldspathic porcelain. They are excellent for front teeth.