At Cleary Dental our dental professionals are experienced in finding the best individual treatment plan for our patients including porcelain crowns. Porcelain crowns and crowns in general, are prosthetic caps cemented over a tooth. Porcelain is a popular material in cosmetic and restorative dentistry for its aesthetic appeal which can provide a natural appearance.
PORCELAIN CROWN ALTERNATIVES
Porcelain crowns are used to serve the purpose of strengthening damaged tooth structure, preventing further tooth decay, and restoring your tooth’s appearance. An inlay or onlay can strengthen the integrity of a tooth and restore its function just like crowns. Inlays and onlays can be made from porcelain and tooth-colored composite resins to restore the tooth’s natural appearance. This procedure is not as invasive or extensive as a dental crown and it requires less of your tooth’s tissue to be removed. Porcelain crowns are usually more expensive than metal or porcelain fused to metal.
ADVANTAGES OF PORCELAIN CROWNS
Porcelain crowns are a very aesthetically pleasing option which is why you may want to choose them. Porcelain is a durable, stain-resistant material, with a semi-translucent finish nearly identical to natural tooth enamel. Porcelain crowns are fairly durable, and more resistant to fractures than composite resin crowns, however, their longevity may vary depending on the placement of the crown in a patient’s bite, and their oral hygiene habits. Porcelain crowns are extremely stain resistant, so you will not have to worry about whitening treatments anymore.
YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR PORCELAIN CROWNS
If your teeth are damaged from decay and fractures you may be eligible for a crown, depending on the level of damage to the root and surrounding tissues. Your teeth can be weakened by decay making them more prone to fracturing and chipping. Tooth decay can erode your enamel, entering the pulp of the tooth, which will make a root canal necessary. In most cases, if you have had a root canal your tooth will need to be covered with a crown. Crowns are used for teeth that cannot be supported by common fillings due to a high level of decay. Porcelain crowns will also be used for your dental bridges, which are generally used to replace two or more teeth and bridge a gap. Porcelain crowns can be used as a durable cap for your dental implants.
PORCELAIN CROWN PROCEDURE
To prepare your tooth for a crown, your tooth will need to be cleaned and reshaped. The decay will be removed, and your tooth will be slightly tapered to make room for the putty and new crown. An impression of the tooth opposing the crown is made and sent to a dental lab where your porcelain crown will be made. This can take one to three weeks, and our dentist will fit a temporary crown over your tooth for this period. Once the crown is prepared, the tooth is cleaned, and a dental adhesive is applied to cement the crown. The crown is fitted over your tooth and adjusted to suit your bite.
Crowns can last five to 25 years, depending on your habits and oral hygiene. Some porcelain crowns can last up to 30 years if you take good care of them. If you are considering dental crowns, our team at Cleary Dental is here to help. Call us at (856) 428-3050 to consult with our experienced dental professionals.