Dental crowns are caps that are cemented on the top of weak or damaged teeth to protect, cover, and restore them. They can be manufactured from a variety of materials like porcelain, resin, ceramics, and metals, and they help improve the shape, appearance, size, and strength of the teeth.
When can porcelain dental crowns be helpful?
A dentist may recommend a dental crown in case of the following situations:Â
- To protect a dental implant.
- To replace an old tooth filling.
- To repair a broken or weak tooth or to hold together the parts of a cracked tooth.
- To support dental bridges to stay in place.
- To cover a misshapen tooth.
- To conceal severe dental stains or severely discolored teeth.
- To support a weak tooth that has a large filling.
- To restore the strength of a weakened tooth after root canal therapy.
So, dental crowns are helpful in enhancing the appearance and aesthetics of one's tooth while protecting it against breakage and breakdown.
Types of Crowns
There are various materials that can be used to fabricate dental crowns. The most popular among them is porcelain crowns. The other types of crowns are as follows:
- Metal CrownsÂ
They are made of metal alone, and hence, are the strongest type of crowns.Â
- Ceramic CrownsÂ
Ceramic or porcelain crowns resemble the appearance of natural teeth and hence are quite popular.Â
- Porcelain Bonded Crowns
They are made from porcelain fused to metal. Its base is fabricated from metal with a layer of porcelain on its top, thus offering the benefits of both porcelain and metals.Â
- All-Resin CrownsÂ
All-resin crowns are manufactured from composite resin material, and the color of the crowns are customized to resemble the natural teeth. Though all-resin crowns are less costly than other dental crown types, they can wear down quickly over time.
 Porcelain Dental Crown ProcedureÂ
The placement of porcelain dental crowns needs multiple visits to our dental office.Â
- Initial Visit: We start with a complete evaluation of the patient's teeth, gums, jaw bone, and the adjacent support structures. We perform x-rays and obtain impressions of the patient's mouth to detect any hidden signs of decay, damage, and instability so as to formulate a personalized treatment plan for our patients. Based on the inferences obtained from the examination, we will help the patients choose from the available options and make the best choice.
- Tooth Preparation: After finalizing the treatment plan and the type of dental crown to be placed, we will prepare the patient's teeth by removing a bit of the natural tooth enamel to make space for the dental crown. We place a temporary tooth cap on the tooth for cosmetic reasons till the final restoration is ready.Â
- Final Restoration: Once we get the dental crowns ready in 2 to 3 weeks, the patient can visit our dental office to get the permanent crown.Â
Do you wish to know more about Porcelain dental crowns? Call Tod Anderson DDS at (408) 540-7813 or schedule an appointment online.
