Porcelain Dental Crowns

If you have a tooth with a large cavity that filling cannot restore, you may require a dental crown. When a tooth has a large cavity, a standard filling would not be strong enough to protect and preserve the tooth, putting it at risk of crumbling or cracking when you bite or chew food. You may also need a dental crowns if one of your teeth is severely chipped or cracked and missing a significant portion of its original structure. If you require root canal therapy, you will almost certainly require a dental crown to protect the tooth. We recommend root canal therapy for severely infected and decayed teeth that have lost a significant amount of their original tooth structure.

When teeth are missing entirely, our specialists can use dental implants to replace them. An implant crown, which is fitted over the dental implant and shaped to look like a natural tooth, is often the final part of the treatment in this case. Other times, we use crowns to support dental bridges. Crowns fit over the teeth adjacent to a missing tooth or teeth, and these are attached to replacement teeth called pontics to create a strong, stable dental bridge.

The primary purpose of a dental crown is to protect the tooth. The dental crowns is custom-made to fit precisely over the tooth, right down to the gum line and just below. It acts as a seal, preventing harmful bacteria from getting underneath it and infecting the tooth, causing further damage.

A dental crown can also improve the tooth’s appearance, and we often use it for cosmetic reasons. You may consider a dental crown if you have a too small or misshapen tooth. Dental crowns can make a severely decayed or damaged tooth look more aesthetically pleasing, giving you a healthy and attractive smile.

Teeth that are failing, infected and damaged can make it uncomfortable or even painful to bite or chew food. Then there is always the risk that biting on a damaged tooth will cause it to break or crumble away. Teeth restored with dental crowns will feel comfortable and pain-free, and you will be able to bite and chew food with confidence.

Various materials can be used for dental crowns, depending on the location in your mouth, your budget, your treatment goals and desires, and your dental health. Gold or precious metal alloy crowns, porcelain fused to metal crowns, all-ceramic crowns, and zirconia crowns are the most common.

Gold or Precious Metal Crowns

Dentists traditionally used gold or another precious metal to make crowns that cover back teeth or where space is limited. It is a solid and long-lasting material, and gold is gentler on the opposing teeth because it does not wear down tooth enamel. The gold is polished to a high sheen and looks reasonably attractive but can be pretty visible. The current price of gold and the amount required to make the crown usually determine the price of a crown.

Porcelain Fused to Metal Crown

Another traditional option is a porcelain fused to metal crown, which has been around for a long time. The crown has tooth-colored porcelain that covers its precious metal alloy substructure. The result is a reasonably good-looking crown that is hard-wearing.

However, you don’t always get the best aesthetics with a porcelain fused to a metal crown as the metal must be covered with an opaque material that can sometimes shine through the porcelain. Another potential problem with this type of crown is that the margin or edge of the crown can appear darker because the porcelain is thinner, and a black line around the edge of the crown is not uncommon, especially if the gums recede.

All-Ceramic Crowns

All-ceramic crowns are a popular and highly aesthetic option. They don’t contain any metal, and we can make them from a variety of ceramic materials. They are durable and translucent, which makes them an excellent choice for front teeth where cosmetic appearance is important.

Dentists use zirconia to make another type of all-ceramic crown, which is exceptionally durable and long-lasting. The crowns are milled and heat-treated to prevent fracturing. When it comes to restoring a back tooth, a zirconia crown is an excellent choice. If you clench and grind your teeth, you can have a special type of zirconia crown that will not harm the opposing teeth.

When you see your dentist, they can discuss all possible options with you and probably show you samples of each. They can also provide more information about the costs of each option.

A dental crown procedure usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate molds (or impressions) that we will use to create your custom crown. Your dental specialist will also use a mold to create a temporary crown which will stay on your tooth for approximately two weeks until a dental laboratory fabricates your new crown.

While the tooth is numb, the dentist will prepare it by removing any decay and shaping the surface to ensure a proper fit. After completing these details, your temporary crown will be placed with temporary cement to check your bite to ensure proper biting. The specialist will remove the temporary crown at your second appointment. They will clean your tooth and carefully place your new crown to ensure proper spacing and bite. You will be given care instructions and encouraged to have regular dental visits to check your new crown.