Understanding Porcelain Crowns

Before choosing the material for a replacement dental crown one needs to understand the role the crown plays in occlusal function. A Suwanee dental practitioner will choose a replacement material based on mitigating factors such as the patient’s specific personal needs, the type and amount of stress on the tooth/teeth being treated, and how much room is available.

While there are three common materials employed in the manufacture of crowns, or “caps,” the most frequently used is porcelain. One type of porcelain is pure porcelain or ceramic crowns; the other is porcelain merged with metal. Porcelain crowns merged with gold or other dental-safe metals, alloys, or amalgams result in strongest and longer lasting crowns. Porcelain crowns also offer a natural looking and visually pleasing alternative to other materials since they can easily match the color of the patient’s original teeth.

The preparation of the tooth before the placement of any type of crown will affect the success of the crown restoration treatment. This presents a difficulty with the porcelain on metal crowns as they require a significant amount of space around the tooth to apply them securely. Dentists will attempt to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible.

Problems with the porcelain on metal crowns could also arise when a patient’s gum slowly recedes with age revealing some of the metal beneath the outer porcelain cover. Dentists usually solve this problem by fitting a porcelain collar around the base of the crown to cover up the exposed metal as the gum retracts.

Crowns made exclusively of porcelain are nothing but ceramic materials like zirconia and other aluminous material. While they are easier to fit, because they do no have the inner metallic core, they are not nearly as durable as the porcelain-on-metal crowns. Many patients opt for the ceramic crowns because they are more realistic in appearance.

Patients have to visit their Suwanee dentist twice to complete crown placement. The first visit is needed to prepare the tooth for the crown and to place a temporary crown on to it.

Implant placement is a common alternative crown placement since implants provide a stronger and more natural bite for the patient than dentures or partials.