Benefits of Porcelain Dental Crowns

Advancements in restorative dentistry have made crowns, replacements for damaged teeth, virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. Both durable and, with proper care, long-lasting, porcelain crowns can help make your smile whole again.

A chipped, broken, or otherwise damaged tooth can be painful, both physically and hurting your self-esteem! Damaged teeth can make it hard to smile, talk, or chew, and, if left untreated, could result in an infection in the tooth that can be a serious medical concern. Porcelain dental crowns, however, are a beautiful and sturdy replacement for teeth that are discolored or damaged and can give you a brilliant, healthy smile and plenty of confidence.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PORCELAIN CROWNS?

Crowns completely cover the surface of a damaged tooth, individually designed for your unique mouth and teeth placement. They can help maintain jaw alignment and prevent excessive force from the opposing or adjoining teeth.

If you have a tooth that is cracked, chipped, or discolored, a porcelain crown can restore it to its more radiant state, using minimally invasive medical techniques and custom-coloring it to match the teeth around it. Porcelain crowns are used in both restorative and cosmetic dentistry practices to solve tooth problems for patients.

Why is porcelain the best material for crowns

Porcelain isn’t the only material for crowns; metal is another common one, as is composite resin. However, there are several benefits to porcelain crowns over other materials:

• Appearance. Since porcelain can easily be tinted to match your other teeth, they’re indistinguishable from natural teeth. Silver and gold, however, are very visible, even if your mouth isn’t open very wide.
• Price. Porcelain crowns are the best value for your dental care. It combines the long-lasting nature of gold or silver (both of which can be very expensive) with the lower cost of composite resin (which may need more frequent restoration, as it’s not as durable).
• Fit. Metal crowns are often bigger and heavier on teeth, compared to the lightweight and custom-molded porcelain caps. Plus, porcelain is more gentle on the gums, making eating more comfortable.
• Durability. With proper care, porcelain crowns can last up to 10 years, depending on the individual.
• Biocompatibility. Different materials are more compatible with the human body, and porcelain is one of the most compatible. Unlike metal, which can give some people allergic reactions, porcelain is generally hypoallergenic.

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR PORCELAIN CROWNS?

Every patient is different, but almost all are good candidates for porcelain crowns. For example, if you wish to replace a metal or a combination metal-and-porcelain crown, you may have a better experience with a porcelain crown. Or, if you have a decayed, broken, or chipped tooth, a porcelain crown may be a better option than removing the tooth. Sometimes, people receive a porcelain crown after a root canal, or as part of a dental implant.

People who have an allergy to gold or other metals are also good candidates for porcelain crowns, as are people who desire a safer, biocompatible alternative to restorative capping. If you’d prefer a natural, life-like appearance, porcelain is the way to go, since it allows for luminescent color layering. Metal crowns often have a dark gray line where the crown meets the gum line, which many people may feel self-conscious about. However, since porcelain matches your natural teeth color, it eliminates the dark grey line and all you’ll see are radiant, gleaming, and healthy teeth.

THE PORCELAIN CROWN PROCEDURE

The porcelain crown application process, also called €œcapping,€ is actually a two-part procedure and is performed as an outpatient, same-day procedure for both steps of the process. The process starts with an exam of the affected tooth or teeth, including checking the gums to ensure that they’re ready to accept the new crown. Then, you’ll have a preparation appointment, where the tooth is shaped into an abutment, removing the copy and smoothing jagged edges for the crown to be fitted upon. If you’re receiving the porcelain crown as part of a dental implant procedure, you’ll have already had the implanted tooth root inserted.

Your actual crown will be custom-made in a dental laboratory, using a mold of your teeth to ensure that the crown fits snugly into your mouth. It will also be tinted to match your natural teeth. Once the crown is completed, you’ll have an appointment to actually place it on your mouth. The crown is cemented on the abutment.

You’ll have a follow-up appointment in a few months, to ensure that the fit is secure and to check for any problems with the crown, the fit, or its impact on your ability to talk, chew, and otherwise use your mouth.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECOVER FROM A PORCELAIN CROWN PROCEDURE?

Be sure to follow all aftercare instructions from your dentist after both steps of the dental crown procedure, including what you can and can’t eat, and your physical activity. If you’re a smoker or regularly drink alcohol, you should consider abstaining or cutting down, as doing either of these can slow the healing process.

Once the crown is placed, you may feel some numbness and soreness, and you may wish to take an over-the-counter pain reliever. If the soreness is bad, or if you have swelling, a cold or warm compress may help. Eat soft foods and take care when brushing.

You should be able to return to your normal activities within a couple of days after the procedure, but be careful about eating sticky or tough foods for about 14 days. If you notice bleeding or swelling of the gums around the crown placement, contact us immediately, or if you begin running a fever.

DON’T WAIT SCHEDULE YOUR PERSONALIZED CONSULTATION TODAY!

Dr. Patel and the Dynamic Smile Design team are experienced in creating custom porcelain dental crowns for both cosmetic and restorative purposes. Our offices use leading-edge dental technology and only premium materials to craft long-lasting and natural-looking dental crowns. Learn more about our other services and give us a call today to schedule your consultation and get ready for a beautiful smile!