Dental Crowns/Ceramic
Contents
Porcelain crowns are designed to restore your teeth to their former, natural appearance.
If you are interested in getting dental crowns or choosing the right material for your crowns, keep reading below to find detailed information about this type of treatment.
1. What are dental crowns?
A dental crown is a custom-made, permanent restoration. They look like a hollow, tooth-shaped “cap”, which is placed over a natural tooth. A dental crown restores a damaged or missing tooth to its normal shape, size and function. A crown can protect the tooth or improve the way it looks.
Your dentist may recommend a crown to:
- Support a tooth that has a large filling when there isn’t enough natural tooth structure remaining
- Attach a bridge to replace missing teeth
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
- Restore a fractured tooth
- Cover a badly shaped or discolored tooth
- Cover a dental implant
2. Pros and cons of different crown materials
Crowns can be made from several types of materials from metal (including gold, palladium, nickel, and chromium), porcelain fused to metal, or all-porcelain. Among all the materials, porcelain is the most recommended material.
Each material has its pros and cons, keep reading to find out which one fits best for your reference.
Metal crowns
Several metals can be used in dental crowns, including gold, palladium, nickel, and chromium. Metal crowns typically last from 3 to 5 years.
Pros:
- They are strong, rarely chip or break.
- They can also withstand biting and chewing forces.
- They are the most affordable option.
Cons:
- The metallic color is the main drawback of this type of crown.
- Sometimes the metal under the crown shows through as a dark line.
- They can cause irritation.
Titanium-porcelain crowns (porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns)
as the name suggests, they are made of titanium. With proper care, they can last 5-10 years.
Pros:
- They have a color that resembles natural teeth.
- They are extremely lightweight, yet surprisingly sturdy. They are also recommended to people who have metal allergies.
Cons:
- The inner metal layer might impact visible dark lines and the porcelain coat on the metal might also chip or break.
All-porcelain crowns
Porcelain crowns are designed to mimic the natural appearance of your teeth. The material is made of 100% bio-ceramics with no metal components. Porcelain crowns can last up to 20 years.
Pros:
- They offer the best natural tooth color among all dental crowns.
- They do not cause dark lines at the base of the tooth.
- They are highly biocompatible and do not irritate.
- They are 5 times stronger than natural teeth.
Cons:
- They are the most expensive dental crown material.
3. Advantages of porcelain crowns?
Porcelain dental crowns are mainly used in cosmetic dentistry. This treatment is a good solution for problems such as broken or cracked teeth and those with large cavities that require root canal therapy. Your dentist also uses porcelain caps to correct minor aesthetic issues with your teeth such as unevenness in shape and discoloration.
Most dentists recommend porcelain crowns due to their strength and close resemblance to your natural teeth appearance. Here is a few more information about the advantages of having porcelain dental crowns.
Appearance
Porcelain resembles the shape and color of your natural teeth. Therefore, your dentist will highly recommend the use of porcelain to restore and achieve a natural and aesthetic smile.
Apart from porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers are also an effective solution. To find out which option suits your personal need best, it is recommended to consult with your dentist.
Durability
Many patients do not realize that porcelain dental caps are as nearly as strong as their natural teeth enamel. In fact, the porcelain crowned teeth last for decades.
Quick procedure
On average, dental crowns can be fabricated from 3-5 visits during 3-7 days. The time of the procedure depends on how many teeth need to be restored, how advanced the technology is, and how experienced the dentist is. However, with the CAD/CAM technology, your dental crown can now be placed in one visit.
4. How is the dental crown procedure performed?
Step 1: During your initial consultation, your dentist will evaluate your oral cavity for comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plans.
Step 2: Your dentist will prepare the tooth by filing down across the top and sides of the tooth. This will make space for the crown itself. The amount of tooth that gets filed away depends on the type of crown you have. The crown will have the same thickness as the thickness of the removed layer, only experienced specialists can ensure a precise thickness of the crowns and teeth. If the tooth is filed down too much or not enough, it can affect the quality of the crowns and even damage your natural tooth.
Step 3: An impression will be made to create an exact model of your tooth. As mentioned earlier, CAD/CAM is the latest technology that can help shorten the time of the dental crowning procedure. Different from the traditional rubber mold, CAD/CAM allows a more comfortable, easy, and quick impression-taking procedure.
Step 4: Your dentist will place a crown over your tooth and make any necessary adjustments. When you and your dentist are happy with how it looks and feels, the crown is cemented into place.
Aftercare after your dental crowns
To maintain the longevity and beautiful appearance of your new porcelain crowns, you should pay attention to the following issues:
Practice good oral hygiene habits
Brush your teeth at least twice a day, especially after eating and before going to bed. You should choose brushes that have soft bristles. When you brush your teeth, gently use vertical and circular strokes. Additionally, flossing is also recommended and should be done after each meal to remove plaque in between teeth.
Avoid consuming certain foods and drinks
Whether your teeth are all-natural are crowns, you should always be cautious when consuming foods or drinks. Too hard or sticky foods can pull out your new crowns. Additionally, too cold or hot drinks can cause sensitivity around your gums. The intake of coffee and carbonated drinks should also be limited to avoid discoloration.
Have a check-up routine
The last but most important step to maintaining your porcelain crowns is the have a check-up routine at the dental office. It is often recommended to have a check-up every 6 months to detect early signs of any problems and receive professional teeth cleanings.
5. How much do porcelain crowns cost?
The cost for the treatment depends on the type of crowns you choose. At Elite Dental, a titanium-porcelain crown is priced at 3.000.000 VND/ tooth and an all-porcelain crown is priced at 5.000.000 – 8.000.000 VND/ tooth. It is recommended that you talk to your dentist to choose the most suitable option for your reference.
Detailed advice on costs and treatment plans
6. Why choose Elite Dental?
If you have a persistent tooth problem, it’s always advised you seek the advice and care of a dentist. Here at Elite Dental, our team will be able to say whether or not you require a dental crown, and we’ll help you choose what material is best suited for your requirements.
We have a team of specialized dentists, hence you will be able to seek consultation and enjoy a comprehensive approach to your dental needs.
We equip our facility with the latest technology to reduce the level of discomfort and ensure your dental health is met.
- 3D CAD/CAM for precise digital impressions.
- Primemill milling machine makes dental milling faster, easier, and more predictable.
- SpeedFire is the fastest sintering furnace on the market and can sinter a crown in approximately 9 minutes.
Our patients also enjoy the convenience of scheduling their dental appointments as we provide a 24/7 hotline at 0902 661 100 – 0902 559 888
If you are interested in how a crown may be able to benefit your smile, contact us for a consultation.
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