Are your teeth weak? Broken? Cracked? Discolored? Porcelain tooth crowns are a versatile restorative dentistry solution designed to fit snugly and neatly over a damaged tooth. Porcelain crowns improve the durability of a tooth and reconstruct its shape and size while looking completely natural and enabling your teeth to function properly.
Why Porcelain Crowns?
There are a range of viable and attractive restorative and cosmetic dentistry options that can correct damaged teeth – from porcelain veneers to lumineers and porcelain inlays and onlays to tooth-colored fillings.
Porcelain crowns, however, are often the weapon of choice because they serve so many purposes:
- Porcelain crowns prevent a weak tooth from fracturing.
- Teeth that are already fractured can be repaired with crowns.
- A dental bridge can be supported and held in place by a crown.
- Oddly shaped teeth are given a natural, even, uniform look with a porcelain crown.
- Crowns are used to fill unsightly gaps or spaces between teeth.
- Crowns hide severe tooth discoloration.
- Teeth are cosmetically enhanced by porcelain crowns.
Structural problems are completely eliminated with the placement of a durable crown, and the cosmetic alterations are a welcome side effect of a well-placed porcelain crown.
The Porcelain Tooth Crown Treatment
Porcelain crowns are customized to suit your smile and complement the rest of your teeth. A crown can typically be placed in just two visits to the dentist. The first appointment involves preparing your tooth for the crown, which could involve cleaning the tooth of decay, removing a small portion of the tooth in order to allow the crown to fit properly, or using composite to build the tooth up in order for the crown to fit. After an impression is taken of your mouth, an off-site dental lab will prepare the unique porcelain tooth crown as indicated by your dentist.
While you wait for your permanent crown, a temporary crown will be put in place for comfort but also to protect your tooth and allow you to eat and speak normally. Your second visit will involve cementing the actual crown into place, confirming that your bite is spot-on, and that the tooth works as a natural tooth should.
Professional benefits of a smile makeover >>
Types of Crowns
There are several different types of tooth crowns:
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns (PFM) look like porcelain crowns on the outside, but the interior of the crown is made of metal which is not an option for some patients who have a metal allergy.
- Metal crowns are typically composed of gold or another alloy and are very durable restorations. The sturdiness of metal crowns, however, is tarnished by the appearance of the crown, which is always noticeable in your mouth since it differs so much from your other teeth.
- Ceramic zirconia crowns are used to repair stained teeth or structurally unsound teeth because they are strong and fracture-resistant and, of course, do not contain metal. They are also aesthetically pleasing.
- All-porcelain or all-ceramic crowns are one of the best tooth crown options as they work for most any patient. Functionality is restored, aesthetics are in place, and anyone who has a metal allergy can still enjoy the benefit of a versatile crown.
Don’t allow damaged or stained teeth to age you or mar your smile. Porcelain crowns are a smile makeover solution that will restore your confidence in yourself and your grin. Make an appointment to schedule your consultation with Manhattan cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael J. Wei to discuss your smile makeover options.
