There are several options for a person in need of dental crowns, but perhaps one of the most popular is porcelain crowns. There are several reasons why it’s a top choice out of the dental crowns types available, but if you’re considering porcelain crowns for yourself, then read below for more information on how a porcelain crown can benefit your teeth.
What are Porcelain Crowns?
Porcelain dental crowns are a cosmetic option for people who have experienced tooth decay or have damaged teeth. They can be made as caps or crowns, in either case are custom-made, and restore a tooth to its original size, strength, and function. They are most commonly used for the restoration of front teeth and are an option when fillings or other methods of tooth restoration won’t fix the issue.
There are several types of crowns made of porcelain, such as the traditional feldspathic porcelain, but other porcelain types include:
- Empress: a glassy appearance that can be considered to be among ceramic crowns
- Procera: exceptionally strong due to the milled ceramic on the inside of the crown
- Lava: This crown is made with zirconia on the inside for a greater appeal on the outside.
- Zirconia: made of zirconia and doesn’t leave a black line at the gum line like some porcelain-made crowns.
- Emax: fast becoming a popular type of porcelain for crowns
Some of the options listed above are metal-based crowns but can be fused with porcelain as well. If you have a metal allergy, let your dentist know as that will impact the type of crown you’re able to have.
How are Porcelain Dental Crowns Made?
There are several steps to making crowns out of porcelain, as each patient has unique teeth, and the dental crowns need to fit comfortably. The crown itself is made from a mold of a prepared tooth, more on that later, and is shaped like the tooth it is replacing. Depending on the type of crown chosen, such as types of porcelain, a thin layer of metal is formed around the mold of the tooth, and the porcelain is built up over it to create the rest of the crown. If the dental crown is pure porcelain, the crown is made from a mold that is prefabricated to fit over the tooth correctly.
Benefits of Dental Crowns Made of Porcelain
As mentioned earlier, there are several types of dental crowns available and it’s important to know the benefits of each before discussing with your dentist the best type for you. With regard to dental crowns made of porcelain, the benefits include:
- Porcelain can be formed to look like your natural teeth
- Nearly impossible to notice due to the natural color
- No allergic reactions
- Crowns made of porcelain are resistant to stains
- The best option for when decay and cavities prevent filling
- Porcelain is extremely strong and known to last for 15 years or more
- Crowns made of porcelain are reported to help decrease tooth sensitivity
What is the Porcelain Dental Crown Procedure?
For a dental crown made of porcelain, there are essentially three steps:
- Preparing the tooth
- Creating the crown
- Placing the crown
To prepare the tooth, your dentist will remove a portion of the enamel and sometimes the center of the tooth. If the crown is being placed due to tooth decay, an endodontic surgery (root canal) may be required before the crown can be placed. If the decay hasn’t reached that far, then the surface of the tooth will be reduced. Once the tooth has been shaped, a mold is made to form the crown. If the crown is to replace a tooth, a dental implant will be placed to support the crown.
The dental crowns are created in a dental lab, but after it’s been made they will be fitted over the prepared tooth by your dentist and then adhered to with a strong dental fixative. Your dentist will likely have polish and slightly reshaped to ensure the best fit so it can fit correctly and contact the tooth on the opposing jaw for proper chewing and speaking. Once the crown is properly fitted, your dentist will cure the fixative and may do another polishing if needed.
If you need a dental crown and are considering porcelain or are worried about the strength of your teeth, we have numerous payment options available and if you have dental benefits, we will submit your claims on your behalf. We also welcome cash, Visa, MasterCard, and e-Transfer payment methods to help make the dentist visit as pain-free as possible.
If you have any questions or concerns about our dental services or would like to schedule an appointment, you can call us at 780-705-9866 or contact us here.