Advantages & Disadvantages of Ceramic Crowns?
A crown is a dental restoration that covers the entire visible part of your tooth above the gum line. Dental crowns improve the aesthetic appearance of a weakened or unsightly tooth and protect and strengthen it from any more damage. They are most often made from either ceramic or porcelain, and they are also custom-fabricated to match the specific color of your surrounding natural teeth. In some situations, metal or resin crowns might be used. Metal crowns are more expensive and are not used that often. A dental crown is usually placed on a broken tooth or a tooth after a root canal procedure or one damaged by tooth decay. Crowns are also used frequently to support a dental bridge or to complete an implant restoration.
Some Advantages of Ceramic Crowns
The primary benefit of a crown created with ceramic is the visual aesthetics. Ceramic crowns will match the reflective quality of your natural teeth, which allows an all-ceramic crown to blend with your natural surrounding teeth. A ceramic crown is also more resistant to wear than other choices, providing longer-lasting results.
An all-ceramic restoration is popular and an effective and successful choice if you wish to restore the strength or the appearance of a tooth.
Another consistent benefit of a ceramic crown is the fabrication process. Your dentist has a relationship with a dental lab that will have years of both specialized training and experience in the fabrication of ceramic crowns. The lab technicians will create a ceramic crown with precise contours that match the shape of your natural teeth.
The Disadvantages of Ceramic Crowns
Due to the intricacy, a ceramic crown takes longer to fabricate than other kinds of dental crowns. You will need to visit your dentist twice to receive a ceramic crown treatment. Additional laboratory fees might also increase the final cost. You will still find the benefits outweigh the small difference in both extra time and cost.
Ceramic crowns will also need to be thicker than other choices to prevent the crown from breaking. This means your dentist needs to remove more of your natural tooth to accommodate the crown. Also, if a fracture does happen, an all-ceramic crown is more challenging to repair. If your crown fractures, you will likely require a new restoration. Your dentist will do their best to minimize this risk.
Are You a Candidate for a Ceramic Crown?
A ceramic crown is a successful restorative choice if you wish to restore both the appearance and strength of a natural tooth. A dental crown helps protect a tooth that has been affected by damage or decay and also improves the integrity of your healthy smile. There are several situations that could affect your possibility of a ceramic crown, such as:
- Inadequate distance between your teeth- A serious overbite or an unusually erupted tooth can place added pressure on a crown, which then requires a stronger material than ceramic.
- Clenching or grinding- The excessive pressures created by habits like clenching or grinding can easily damage a ceramic restoration.
Your dentist can recommend an alternative material to a ceramic crown for other identifiable reasons. For most patients, a ceramic crown will provide an attractive, strong restoration for their smiles.