Crowns are quite popular in modern dentistry, and they are used to restore damaged teeth. The great thing about crowns is that you don’t need to get your tooth extracted to have the crown installed, so you still keep part of your natural tooth. If you are planning on getting a crown restoration, porcelain is the best choice of material that you should use.
PORCELAIN AND OTHER CROWN TYPES
Porcelain is just one of the materials available for creating crowns. Other materials that can be used include composite resin, gold, silver and porcelain infused with metal. The material used for the crown varies mainly for the purpose that it will be used. Most dentists recommend porcelain but if the patient has teeth grinding problems, the best material to use would be gold crowns.
WHAT MAKES PORCELAIN CROWNS A BETTER CHOICE?
Porcelain is the number one material of choice because of the following:
- Appearance. Porcelain crowns can easily be blended to match the exact color of your teeth. Unlike gold and silver crowns, porcelain crowns look almost like real teeth and are unnoticeable. Even if you open your mouth wide, people will not recognize the dental restoration from your natural teeth.
- Cost. Porcelain crowns have the best value compared to other crown materials. Gold and silver crowns are quite expensive and impractical for some patients. Although composite resin is slightly cheaper than porcelain, it’s not as durable and you may need more frequent restorations, costing you more in the long run.
- Durability. Porcelain crowns can last for 10 years or more, depending on the patient. Some patients can even make their crowns last their entire lifetime without needing replacement.
- Biocompatibility. Porcelain is very safe and compatible with the human body. Some people may experience allergic reactions with metal components, but porcelain doesn’t have this kind of negative effect on the mouth.
- Fit. Metal crowns tend to be bigger and heavier on teeth as compared to lightweight and perfectly molded porcelain crowns. This makes porcelain more comfortable for eating.
HOW DO YOU GET PORCELAIN CROWNS?
Dr. Crawford will examine your dental condition to see if crowns are the best choice for your dental restoration. Once this has been confirmed and you agree to the procedure,, other tests will be taken to ensure that your teeth and gums are ready to accept the new crowns. Then you will be asked to come in for the preparation process. This involves shaping your tooth into an abutment upon which the crown will be cemented. The abutment is made of your natural tooth with all the decayed parts removed. If your tooth was extracted or lost, you will need a dental implant first to support the abutment.
The actual crown will be developed in a dental laboratory. It will be formed after a mold of your teeth to make the crown’s shape and size fit your dental arch perfectly. If you’re getting a crown to cover up a misshaped or esthetically unpleasant tooth, Dr. Crawford will use computer technology to demonstrate the shape and size of the crown and illustrate how it will fit your mouth. After the crown has been created, you will be asked to come in for a second session and Dr. Crawford will cement the porcelain crown onto the abutment. After a few months, you may be asked to come back for a follow-up to ensure that your teeth are adapting well to their new restoration.
SETTING AN APPOINTMENT FOR GETTING CROWNS
At Dr. Pat Crawford’s Clinic, you can easily set an appointment with us through phone, or you can visit our clinic during operating hours. We will be more than happy to assist you in getting crowns. However, Dr. Crawford will be the best person to advise you whether or not you should get crowns. If an alternative restoration offers better results, Dr. Crawford will explain the options to you so that you can come to an informed decision.
