It is important to understand the purpose and function of dental crowns before selecting the materials from which a replacement crown will be made.
Crowns, or “caps”, are generally manufactured from three types of materials; but the material used most often is porcelain. There are two standard varieties of porcelain: Pure porcelain or ceramic, and porcelain fused to 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 is a potential trouble spot, as porcelain crowns fused with metal need a significantly larger space to be attached in a stable and secure manner. 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.
The all-porcelain crowns are actually ceramic, most often zirconia and aluminous materials. 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. Most patients prefer to have an all-porcelain tooth because they look almost real.
To have crowns applied a patient must make two visits to their Dayton or Miamisburg dentist. In the first visit the dentist prepares the affected and surrounding teeth, if necessary, and fit a temporary crown to the compromised tooth. During the second visit the patient tries out the comfort and aesthetics of the permanent crown and, once satisfied, the crown permanently fitted with cement or a dental bonding agent.
Implant placement is a common alternative crown placement since implants provide a stronger and more natural bite for the patient than dentures or partials.