Tooth Cap

What is a Tooth Cap?

A tooth cap is a prosthetic covering placed over a damaged or decayed tooth to restore its strength, shape and function. They protect damaged or decayed teeth.

Are Dental Crowns and Tooth Caps the same?

Tooth caps are also called dental crowns.

Who needs a teeth cap?

If you have the following condition, then a tooth cap is your solution.

If you have one or more severely decayed teeth.

It provides structural support to cracked or broken teeth.

After root canal treatment, the dentist suggests you cap the tooth. Cap strengthens the tooth and prevents further damage.

Huge filled cavities should be covered with a cap to support your natural tooth structure.

Tooth Caps seamlessly hide discoloured or misshapen teeth.

The functional and visible part of dental implants is also a dental cap.

Types of Tooth Cap

Zirconia Cap:

Material:

The Zirconia caps are premium dental crowns amongst all. Similar to natural tooth colour, it gives a life-like smile to the patient. It is a metal free crown.

Benefits and features:

Zirconia crowns are known for superior aesthetics and are the strongest of all crowns.

Zirconia caps reflect light and have translucency similar to natural teeth.

Your dentist shall recommend you these crowns for front teeth restoration.

Zirconia caps come with warranties of 10 and 15,20 years of warranty. Some may also have a lifetime warranty.

Cost

The cost of Zirconia caps depends upon the type of zirconia material used and the brands offering the caps. It costs between Rs 5000 and Rs 35,000 per tooth.

Comparisons with other crown types:

Zirconia crowns are robust, crack-resistant, and stain-resistant as compared to other material caps.

Porcelain fused Metal Crowns:

Material:

Porcelain is a type of ceramic material. It looks similar to a natural tooth. Its mechanical strength is less than that of zirconia caps. A layer of metal is added to the inner side of the cap to reinforce the porcelain crown.

Multiple caps are sintered together to form a Bridge.

Benefits and features:

It is the most popular restoration given to patients.

Aesthetically Appealing:

The outer porcelain layer can be customized to match the natural colour of your teeth, providing a more life-like appearance.

Suitable for your health:

It is well tolerated by your body. Noble metals used in metal layering do not cause allergy.

Cost:

The cost of porcelain crowns varies depending on the brand and quality. It usually ranges between Rs 5000 to Rs 9000 per tooth.

Metal Teeth Caps:

Material:

Metal Caps are made of noble metals like gold or base metal alloys like the combination of nickel, chromium, and cobalt. The base metal caps are cheaper than noble metal crowns.

Benefits of metal Crowns: Durability:

Metal crowns are strong and can withstand chewing pressure, making them a good choice for back teeth.

Longevity:

Because of their durability, metal crowns typically last longer than other types of crowns, such as porcelain or resin.

Minimal Tooth Removal:

They often require less removal of the natural tooth structure compared to porcelain caps. This can help preserve more of the natural tooth.

Wear Resistance:

Metal crowns are resistant to wear and won't chip or crack under high pressure.

Why today metal caps are not preferred?

Poor aesthetics:

It does not match the natural tooth colour.

Sensitivity:

People with metal caps may have hot and cold sensitivity.

Allergy:

You may experience allergic reactions because of nickel in metal caps.

Chip off the opposite tooth:

The hardness of metal may damage the opposite tooth.

Cost of Metal Caps:

The cost of metal caps in India ranges between Rs1500 to Rs 4000 per tooth.

DMLS Caps- Direct Metal laser Sintering Caps

The latest technology to make caps and dental bridges. It utilizes laser light to fuse metal powder into solid crowns. In this, the laser selectively melts metal powder to build up the cap layer by layer.

Advantages of DMLS Crowns

Accuracy:

DMLS offers exceptional accuracy, producing crowns with a precise fit. This enhances patient comfort.

Customized caps:

The technology allows for highly customized restorations tailored to the individual’s unique dental anatomy and requirements.

How to choose the right teeth cap for you?

Consult with Your Dentist

Professional Advice:

Your dentist will assess your tooth’s condition and recommend the best crown. Your dental health, tooth location, and cosmetic goals decide the suitable cap for you.

Customization:

Your dentist will also help with the fit, shape, and colour of the tooth cap to ensure it matches your natural teeth.

Consider the Location of the Crown

Front Teeth:

For visible teeth when you smile, opt for crowns that offer the best aesthetics like zirconia and porcelain caps.

Back Teeth:

For the teeth at the back, durability and strength are crucial, as are metal, PFM, or zirconia caps.

Evaluate Your Budget

Factors affecting the cost:

Caps vary in price depending on material and complexity. Porcelain and zirconia crowns are usually more expensive than metal ones.

Insurance:

Always check with your dental insurance provider to see if caps are covered by your insurance.

Examine Your Oral Health:

Tooth Structure:

If the tooth is heavily damaged, a more durable material like metal or zirconia might be necessary. For less damaged teeth, porcelain or ceramic may be sufficient.

Allergies:

Nickel in metal caps may cause allergies to few. So, choose non-metal options like porcelain or zirconia.

Consider Longevity and Maintenance

Durability:

More durable materials may last longer and withstand daily wear and tear better.

Maintenance:

Different crowns require varying levels of care. For instance, porcelain crowns need careful maintenance to avoid chipping, while metal crowns are generally low maintenance.

How long do tooth caps last in the mouth?

The shelf-life of the caps depends upon how you care for and maintain them. Cleaning and flossing your tooth caps are mandatory to prevent debris and plaque accumulation.

Listed below are the approximate lifespan of various tooth caps

Type of Crown/Cap	Average Lifespan
Zirconia Caps	10-15 years
Porcelain-fused-Metal Caps	5-15 years
E-Max Caps	5-15 years
Gold Caps	10-11 years
Metal Crowns	15 years or more

How can you improve the lifespan of your dental crowns?

Brush and floss your teeth properly.

Use mild mouthwash once daily. You can use salt water to rinse your mouth twice daily.

Visit your dentist at least twice a year for check-ups.

Get professional cleaning done at least twice a year.

The biggest reason for the failure of dental crowns is:

Poor oral hygiene.

Infection in the neighbouring tooth or the tooth itself.

Improper root canal treatment may lead to infection.

Unnatural forces like bruxism and teeth clenching lead to chipping off of the tooth.

Are Tooth Caps safe?

Tooth crowns are believed to be a great saviour to your decayed tooth. The material used in the crowns are suitable for your body and does not cause allergy. It does not react with food like vinegar or soda-based food items. It does not corrode or tarnish.

So, tooth caps are safe and can be worn for years without any potential risk.

How are tooth caps better than veneers?

We know that tooth caps cover the entire tooth as compared to veneers. Veneers only mask either the front or the back side of the tooth.

Characteristics	Tooth Caps	Veneers
Purpose	It covers the damaged and decayed teeth.	Enhances aesthetics of the dicoloured or chipped tooth.
Coverage	Covers all the surfaces of the teeth.	Covers either the front or the back surface of the teeth.
Durability	It is more durable than veneers.	Veneers are thin as shell, so have lesser shelf-life than tooth caps.
Longevity	It may last for 12-15 years.	It may last for 12-15 years.
Strength	It is sturdy and can withstand chewing tearing forces.	It is not sturdy and you cannot chew with veneers.
Use	It is used to conserve the damaged or decayed teeth.	Used for cosmetic transformation of the teeth.

In all we can say that, tooth caps add strengths and improves the look of the teeth. Seamlessly.

Are Tooth Caps painful?

You might experience slight discomfort at first, but gradually you will get used to it over the time.

But, if you experience pain after placing the cap, inform your dentist.

Tooth caps are a great alternative to save your weakened tooth. Now you can decide the right cap for you from the fore-mentioned varieties.

Visit your dentist today and save your future smile and oral health with dental crowns.

Tooth Crown Before and After