What Is a Stainless Steel Crown (Coating)?
When the tooth is so damaged that a simple filling is no longer an option, but it is not severely damaged to the point of extraction, a stainless steel crown is like a dental guardian that saves the day. Besides being durable and cost-effective, these are the main reasons for their popularity in both pediatric and adult dentistry, as well as their fast application.
Even though stainless steel crowns do not look like porcelain veneers or a full Hollywood Smile, they are an essential part of the dental care plan. And here’s the thing — even healthy teeth are not always as strong or beautiful as we think. Gradually, they decay, wear out, and are affected by accidents. Hence, the reason why at Lema Dental Clinic in Istanbul, Turkey, more and more people are opting for veneers, implants, and smile makeovers — where functionality meets perfect beauty.
Why Are Stainless Steel Crowns Made?
Dentists frequently suggest the use of stainless steel crowns for the teeth that need to be protected to the maximum extent, but which don’t have to be aesthetically pleasing. The main uses of these are the following:
- In children’s dentistry, to protect baby teeth that have extensive decay or after a root canal treatment. These crowns hold the space until the permanent tooth erupts.
- For back molars in adults, where chewing pressure is high and visibility is low, strength is more important than appearance.
- As temporary crowns, while a permanent crown is being crafted in a dental lab.
Mainly because of that? The main advantage of these crowns is their speed and reliability. They are made beforehand in different sizes, thus the dentist can pick one that is most suitable, and in just one visit, he can fix and cement it.
How Are Stainless Steel Crowns Made?
The method of placing a stainless steel crown is quite unexpected; however, it is very simple. At the outset, the dentist evaluates the tooth to be sure that it is a proper candidate. After that, they slightly modify the tooth to get more space for the crown. Subsequently, an already-made stainless steel cover is picked to fit the tooth’s dimensions as well as the shape. Once the perfect fit is felt, the crown is firmly fixed over the selected tooth by means of cement.
Unlike crowns such as zirconium or porcelain, which are customized, require several visits, and some lab work in between, stainless steel crowns are available immediately. This feature makes them the best choice for patients who need a fast rescue.
What Are the Different Types of Crowns?
To make a dental crown, there are different materials from which dentists can choose. Each one of them has its advantages, disadvantages, and specific uses. If you want a temporary solution, a very beautiful aesthetic, or a strong one, there is a dental crown that matches your needs.
It is easier to grasp your alternatives with this comparison chart:
| Crown Type | Material | Best For | Aesthetics | Durability |
| Stainless Steel Crown | Stainless steel | Children’s teeth, back molars | Low (silver color) | High |
| Metal-Supported Porcelain | Metal core + porcelain coating | Back and front teeth | Good (natural-looking) | High |
| All-Ceramic Crown | Pure ceramic/porcelain | Front teeth, cosmetic treatments | Excellent | Moderate |
| Zirconium Crown | Zirconium oxide | Front and back teeth | Excellent | Very High |
| Temporary Acrylic Crown | Acrylic resin | Short-term use before a permanent crown | Moderate | Low |
This table points out one more reason why many international patients decide to come to Turkey to have dental crowns at Lema Dental Clinic: you can have high-quality zirconium or porcelain crowns with a price that is only a fraction of what you pay in the U.S. or Europe, with no quality loss.
How Long Do Crowns Last?
At the very best, a stainless steel crown could endure for 7 to 10 years; this period is, however, subject to oral hygiene habits and chewing forces. As these are most commonly employed for baby teeth or as temporary solutions, their lifespan is not required to be decades long.
While metal-supported porcelain crowns or zirconium crowns are suggested to be maintained with proper dental care for no less than 15–20 years. In Lema Dental Clinic, patients are provided with the necessary guidance about their aftercare, which supports their dental crowns and natural teeth to be healthy for many years.
Why Natural Teeth Aren’t Always “Perfect”
Most people believe that natural teeth are equal to a perfect smile, but that is far from the truth. Teeth can be straightened, discolored, cracked, and worn, even if they are not decayed. Some teeth become dark over time or have shapes that do not suit the face.
Anyway, it is taking dental treatments such as Hollywood Smile, dental veneers, and implants that have entered people’s lives, not only celebrities but also any person who wants to have a smile that looks beautiful and functions well.
FAQ: What Is a Stainless Steel Crown (Coating)?
Crowns are made by reshaping the tooth, taking the mold, and fabricating a custom-fit cover with materials such as porcelain, zirconium, or metal to give extra protection to the tooth for a long time.
A sturdy metal base is designed, and then porcelain layers are melted to it, resulting in a crown that is durable as well as beautiful.
The dentist reshapes the tooth, takes molds, makes a metal base, adds porcelain layers for color matching, and attaches it tightly.
Dental cements of high strength that can hold the crowns in place for many years are used for bonding the crowns.
While metal-supported crowns are a little cheaper and are very powerful, zirconium crowns give you that strength plus a more natural, lifelike look.
