Do You Need a Porcelain Dental Crown?
Porcelain dental crowns restore and enhance the appearance of damaged, discolored, or misaligned teeth. Dental crowns have helped several patients achieve the durable, stunning smiles they deserve.
Learn more about porcelain crowns with our Prairie Village dentist and see how they can help you restore your beautiful smile by calling (913) 362-4488.
What Are Porcelain Crowns?
Types of Porcelain Crowns
- Full Porcelain/Ceramic Crowns: These are fully made of porcelain. They offer the best natural color match than any other crown type and are often more suitable for people with metal allergies.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) Crowns: These have a metal base or interior with porcelain on the outside. This combination offers strength (from the metal) and aesthetics (from the porcelain). One potential downside is that the metal can sometimes show as a thin dark line at the gum line.
Benefits of Porcelain Crowns
- Durability: Porcelain crowns are known for their strength and durability, and can withstand the daily wear and tear of chewing and speaking.
- Aesthetics: Porcelain can mimic the appearance of natural teeth, and porcelain crowns are designed to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth for a natural-looking smile.
- Stain-Resistance: Porcelain is resistant to staining, which means your porcelain crowns will remain bright and white over time.
- Versatility: A porcelain crown can be used to address a range of dental issues, from chipped and cracked teeth to misshapen or discolored teeth.
Drawbacks of Porcelain Crowns
- Cost: Porcelain crowns can be more expensive than other types of dental restorations, such as composite fillings or metal crowns.
- Sensitivity: Some people may experience increased sensitivity after getting a porcelain crown.
- Potential for Chipping: While porcelain is durable, it’s not indestructible. Porcelain crowns can chip or crack if they’re exposed to excessive force or trauma.
The Porcelain Crown Process
Consultation and Evaluation
Tooth Preparation
Impressions
Temporary Crown
Crown Placement
Follow-Up
Porcelain Crown Alternatives
- Composite Resin: Composite is a tooth-colored filling material that can be used in certain situations instead of a crown. Composite fillings can restore a tooth that has a significant amount of structure missing, but they may not offer the same level of strength and durability as crowns. They’re often more affordable than a dental crown.
- Gold Crowns: Gold is one of the oldest materials used for dental crowns. It’s durable, non-abrasive, and requires less tooth reduction than porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Some people prefer the appearance of gold, especially for back teeth, while others do not like the metallic look.
- Zirconia Crowns: Zirconia is a type of ceramic that’s known for its durability and strength. These crowns are tooth-colored and can be a good option for people who want both aesthetics and strength. They’re also metal-free, which can be advantageous for patients with metal allergies or sensitivities.
- CEREC® (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) Crowns: This is a system that allows dentists to design, fabricate, and place a crown in just one visit. The crown is made from a block of ceramic material and is designed using computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology. These are also known as same-day crowns.
- Onlays or Inlays: Rather than cover the entire tooth, onlays or inlays only replace a portion of the tooth. They can be made of porcelain, gold, or composite resin and might be suitable for teeth that don’t require full coverage but have too much damage for a simple filling.
- Dental Veneers: For front teeth that are mostly intact but have aesthetic issues, veneers can be a more conservative alternative. They’re thin porcelain shells that are bonded to the front surface of the teeth to improve their appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Discover if Porcelain Crowns Are Right For You
If you’re considering porcelain crowns to restore your smile, contact Monarch Dental Care at (913) 362-4488 to discuss your options. With proper care and maintenance, porcelain crowns can provide a long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing solution to a range of dental issues.
Call our Prairie Village office today to schedule a consultation and begin your journey to a restored smile.