What are porcelain dental crowns (aka “caps”)?
Porcelain dental crowns are tooth-shaped “caps” custom designed to cover, as well as protect a damaged/weakened tooth. Think of it as a protective shield that looks and feels exactly like your surrounding tooth – only better, stronger, and more beautiful.
Made from high-quality porcelain, these crowns are carefully created to match the size, shape, and color of your natural teeth, providing a seamless and aesthetically pleasing result. Porcelain crowns are designed to be both strong and durable, making them ideal for restoring function.
When do you need a dental crown?
Porcelain dental crowns are ideal for addressing:
- Severely decayed teeth
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Weakened teeth
- Discolored or misshapen teeth
- After root canal treatment
- Cosmetic dental improvements
- Teeth with large fillings
- Dental implant restoration
Benefits of porcelain crowns
- Natural Appearance: Porcelain closely mimics the translucency and color of natural teeth.
- Durability: Porcelain crowns are strong enough to withstand daily chewing and biting.
- Versatility: They can restore function and improve the appearance of damaged or discolored teeth.
- Stain Resistance: Porcelain is resistant to stains, keeping your smile bright and white.
- Enhanced Confidence: Restore your smile and regain the confidence to speak and eat comfortably.
Dental Crowns: Types, Benefits, & Treatment Options
Our crowns are created using tooth-colored porcelain. They are specially created for each patient and can be made to match the patient’s teeth perfectly.
A variety of materials can be used to create a crown, including all porcelain, porcelain fused to gold, and all gold. The right material for the job will depend partly on the patient’s preference and partly on the purpose of the crown. For example, crowns placed on the back teeth will need to be made out of a strong material to hold up for several years of chewing.
Same-Day Dental Restorations with Precision and Comfort
Discover the Benefits of the CEREC® System for Efficient, High-Quality Dental Care
The CEREC® system, short for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, is a cutting-edge dental technology that allows dentists to design, create, and place high-quality dental restorations in a single visit. At Advanced Cosmetics and Family Dentistry, we use this innovative system to provide our patients with efficient, comfortable, and precise dental care. Here are the top 5 benefits of incorporating the CEREC® system into our practice:
Top 5 Benefits of using the CEREC System:
One of the standout features of the CEREC system is its ability to complete restorative dental work in just one visit. Traditionally, crowns, veneers, or inlays require multiple appointments and temporary restorations while waiting for a dental lab to create the final product. With CEREC, we design, craft, and bond the restoration all in the same visit. This saves patients time and eliminates the hassle of multiple trips to the dentist.
The CEREC system utilizes advanced 3D imaging and CAD/CAM technology to create restorations with exceptional accuracy. Digital impressions replace the need for messy, uncomfortable molds, ensuring a more pleasant experience for patients. This precise digital process results in restorations that fit more securely and feel more natural, enhancing both comfort and functionality.
CEREC restorations are crafted from strong ceramic materials that closely resemble the look and feel of natural teeth. These materials are biocompatible, long-lasting, and resistant to staining, ensuring that your dental work not only looks great but also stands the test of time. Patients can enjoy peace of mind knowing their smiles are restored with top-tier materials.
The CEREC system allows us to customize the color and appearance of restorations to match your natural teeth seamlessly. The ceramic material mimics the translucency and texture of real teeth, providing a beautiful and natural-looking result. This attention to detail ensures that your smile enhancement blends perfectly with your overall appearance.
Traditional restorative procedures often require patients to wear temporary crowns or fillings while waiting for the permanent solution. These temporary restorations can sometimes break or become dislodged, leading to discomfort or additional visits. With CEREC, there’s no need for temporary solutions, reducing the risk of complications and ensuring a smoother, more efficient experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crowns are used in multiple dental procedures, so getting one is a very common treatment.
- Crowns are placed over teeth that need added strength and stability, such as teeth that have a large filling, teeth that have undergone a root canal, or teeth that have cracked or broken.
- A patient who gets a root canal will need a crown after the procedure. Getting a root canal involves clearing out the decayed tooth matter and removing the nerve, so the tooth will need to be protected. A crown is placed to make the tooth strong enough to withstand the daily pressures of chewing.
- They are also used to cover the abutment teeth before placing a fixed bridge.
- In addition, crowns can be used to replace a missing tooth when they are attached to dental implants.
- Natural-looking appearance
- Exceptional durability
- Long-lasting protection
- Customized to match your existing teeth
- Improved tooth functionality
- Boosted confidence
Crowns can be made using various materials, but porcelain crowns provide the most realistic results possible. A porcelain crown will be matched to the rest of the teeth, providing a natural, uniform look.
Crowns prevent patients from losing teeth. Without a protective crown, a weak tooth would not be able to withstand the pressure of chewing. It is always better to preserve natural teeth if at all possible, and crowns enable patients to do that. It can also be used to replace a missing tooth and prevent the patient’s remaining teeth from shifting out of place in the jaw.
If you have had a root canal, some time needs to pass between your surgery and when you get a crown. You’ll receive a temporary crown to wear in the meantime as your mouth heals and your permanent crown is created.
If you are getting a fixed bridge, crowns will be placed on top of the abutment teeth to support the bridge. Some time will need to pass between the time when your teeth were prepared and getting your crowns placed because we’ll need to take impressions of your prepared teeth and then send them to a dental lab where it will be created.
What happens during the crown placement procedure will depend on the purpose the crown will serve, but in general, the steps are as follows:
- Initial Consultation: We’ll evaluate your tooth and discuss your goals to determine if a crown is the best option.
- Tooth Preparation: The damaged tooth is reshaped to make room for the crown. Some tooth structure will likely need to be removed to make room for the crown. A local anesthetic ensures your comfort. Patients can also opt to use sedation to help them relax further.
- Impressions: We take precise impressions of your teeth to create a custom-fit crown.
- Porcelain crown in a single visit using the CEREC system: One of our dentists will create a beautiful porcelain crown in a single visit using the CEREC system. This means fewer appointments and much faster results when you choose same-day CEREC crowns.
With proper care, porcelain crowns can last 10-15 years or even longer. Regular dental hygiene and check-ups are key to maximizing their lifespan.
We use local anesthesia to ensure a comfortable procedure. Most patients report minimal discomfort during and after the crown placement.
Our crowns are custom-crafted to match the color, shape, and translucency of your natural teeth. Most people won’t be able to tell it’s not your original tooth!
Dental crown coverage greatly varies depending on which insurance plan you have. Our team will help you navigate your dental insurance benefits and provide cost estimates for your dental work.
Consider it a long-term investment in your smile and overall health. We accept several types of dental financing options as well as an in-house dental membership plan.
The crown itself can’t decay, but the tooth underneath can. Maintain excellent oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups to protect your crowned tooth.
We recommend treating your porcelain crown like a natural tooth:
- Brush twice daily
- Floss regularly
- Avoid excessive biting force
- Use a non-abrasive toothpaste
- Attend regular dental check-ups
Schedule your appointment for dental crowns today!
Porcelain crowns are more than just a dental procedure – they’re a transformation. One consultation could be the first step to restoring your smile’s strength, beauty, and confidence.
Our dental team is dedicated to providing gentle, personalized care to every patient. Using the latest techniques and materials, we create crowns that are both functional and beautiful. From your initial dental crown consultation to the final crown placement, we ensure a comfortable and seamless experience.
Contact our dentists in Alpharetta at Advanced Cosmetic & Family Dentistry today to schedule your consultation appointment and take the first step toward a healthier smile!
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