Do You Need a Porcelain Dental Crown?
Porcelain dental crowns are designed to restore and improve the appearance of teeth that are damaged, discolored, or misaligned. Dental crowns have been instrumental in helping many patients achieve the strong, beautiful smiles they deserve.
To learn more about porcelain crowns, connect with our skilled dentists in Wilmington and Seaford, DE. Discover how they can assist in rejuvenating your smile by calling our Wilmington office at (302) 999-7600 or our Seaford office at (302) 536-7589.
What Are Porcelain Crowns?
Porcelain crowns are designed to cover the entire visible part of a damaged tooth. These crowns are custom-made to match the size, shape, and color of your natural teeth, restoring the function and aesthetics of your smile.
Porcelain is a ceramic material that closely mimics the color and translucency of natural tooth enamel. It’s highly regarded for its aesthetic appeal, particularly for front teeth or any teeth that are visible when you smile or speak.
Types of Porcelain Crowns
- Full Porcelain/Ceramic Crowns: These crowns are entirely crafted from porcelain. They provide the closest match to the natural color of teeth compared to other crown options and are particularly suitable for individuals with metal allergies.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) Crowns: These crowns consist of a metal core or base with a porcelain exterior. This combination delivers the strength of metal and the aesthetic appeal of porcelain. However, a potential drawback is that the metal might appear as a thin, dark line near the gum line.
Benefits of Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns come with several advantages, including:
- Strength and Longevity: Known for their robustness, porcelain crowns can endure the daily demands of chewing and speaking.
- Visual Appeal: Porcelain closely resembles the look of natural teeth, allowing porcelain crowns to blend seamlessly with your existing teeth for a natural-looking smile.
- Stain Resistance: Porcelain is resistant to staining, ensuring that your porcelain crowns maintain their bright and white appearance over time.
- Versatility: Porcelain crowns can address a variety of dental concerns, including chipped, cracked, misshapen, or discolored teeth.
Drawbacks of Porcelain Crowns
While porcelain crowns come with numerous advantages, there are also some disadvantages to be aware of, including:
- Cost: Porcelain crowns tend to be pricier than other dental restoration options, such as composite fillings or metal crowns.
- Sensitivity: Some individuals may experience heightened sensitivity following the placement of a porcelain crown.
- Risk of Chipping: Although porcelain is sturdy, it isn’t immune to damage. Porcelain crowns can chip or crack if subjected to excessive force or trauma.
The Porcelain Crown Process
Consultation and Evaluation
During your initial visit, the dentists in Wilmington and Seaford will thoroughly assess your dental condition and discuss your treatment objectives and possibilities. They may perform X-rays or take impressions of your teeth to aid in planning the treatment.
Tooth Preparation
After you and your dentist have chosen porcelain crowns as the ideal option, the next step involves preparing the affected teeth. Dr. Paul Brown and Dr. Chris Baran will carefully remove any tooth decay or damage and reshape the tooth to accommodate the crown. This process may require the removal of some enamel from the tooth’s surface
Impressions
Once your tooth is prepared, we will take an impression or mold of it. This impression is essential for crafting a custom porcelain crown that perfectly matches the size and shape of your natural tooth.
Temporary Crown
While your custom crown is being meticulously crafted at a dental laboratory, your dentists in Wilmington and Seaford will provide you with a temporary crown. This temporary solution serves to protect the prepared tooth and maintain your bite and tooth alignment until the permanent crown is ready.
Crown Placement
When your custom porcelain crown is ready, you’ll return to the dentist’s office for the final fitting. Drs. Brown and Baran will remove the temporary crown and carefully place the permanent porcelain crown, making any necessary adjustments to ensure it fits comfortably and looks natural.
Follow-Up
After your porcelain crown is in place, it’s important to schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure everything is functioning properly and to address any sensitivity or discomfort. With proper care and maintenance, your porcelain crown can last for many years.
Porcelain Crown Alternatives
The ideal dental treatment choice depends on your unique dental requirements, aesthetic desires, and budget considerations. Here are some possible alternatives:
- Composite Resin: This tooth-colored filling material can sometimes be used in place of a crown. While composite fillings can restore teeth with significant structural loss, they may not provide the same strength and durability as crowns. They’re often more cost-effective than dental crowns.
- Gold Crowns: Gold has been a traditional material for dental crowns due to its durability and non-abrasive nature, requiring less tooth reduction compared to porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. While some appreciate the appearance of gold, especially for molars, others may not prefer the metallic look.
- Zirconia Crowns: Known for their strength and durability, zirconia crowns offer a tooth-colored option that combines aesthetics with robustness. These metal-free crowns are ideal for patients with metal allergies or sensitivities.
- CEREC® (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) Crowns: Utilizing CAD/CAM technology, this system enables dentists to design, create, and place a crown all in one visit. These same-day crowns are crafted from a ceramic block, providing a quick and efficient solution.
- Onlays or Inlays: Instead of covering the entire tooth, onlays or inlays restore only a portion of it. Made from porcelain, gold, or composite resin, they’re suitable for teeth that don’t need full coverage but have too much damage for a simple filling.
- Dental Veneers: For front teeth that are mostly intact but have cosmetic concerns, veneers offer a more conservative alternative. These thin porcelain shells are bonded to the front of the teeth to enhance their appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Porcelain crowns have the potential to last between 10 to 20 years with appropriate care and upkeep. However, their longevity can be influenced by factors such as oral hygiene habits, dietary choices, and the level of wear and tear they endure. Porcelain crowns are celebrated for their strength and long-lasting nature.
Porcelain crowns can be pricier compared to other crown types and dental restorations due to the premium materials and custom design process involved. The porcelain crowns cost may vary based on factors such as the case’s complexity, the number of crowns required, and the dental practice’s location.
Not at all. Your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the area, ensuring the procedure is as comfortable as possible. Afterward, you might experience some sensitivity or soreness, but this should diminish within a few days.
Porcelain is highly resistant to stains and discoloration, and porcelain crowns are crafted to stay bright and white over time. To prevent discoloration, maintain excellent oral hygiene, and limit the consumption of staining substances. Additionally, regular dental cleanings can help eliminate any surface stains, keeping your porcelain crowns looking their best.
Find Out if Porcelain Crowns Are Suitable for You
If you’re thinking about porcelain crowns to enhance your smile, contact Brown and Baran Family Dentistry at our Wilmington office by calling (302) 999-7600 or our Seaford office at (302) 536-7589 to explore your options. With the right care and maintenance, porcelain crowns can offer a durable and visually appealing solution for various dental concerns.
Contact our Wilmington and Seaford offices today to book a consultation and determine if you need a dental crown, embarking on your path to a revitalized smile. We’re proud to serve new and returning patients throughout Delaware and the surrounding regions.
