Advantages & Disadvantages of Ceramic Crowns
A dental crown is a restoration that covers the entire visible part of a tooth above your gum line. Dental crowns will improve the aesthetic appearance of an unsightly tooth and help protect and strengthen it from any further damage. They are usually made from ceramic or porcelain, and they are also custom created to match the exact color of your surrounding natural teeth. In some cases, metal or resin crowns may be used. Metal crowns are usually more expensive and are not used very often. A dental crown is placed on a broken tooth or a tooth following a root canal or damaged by tooth decay. Crowns are also used often to support a dental bridge or to complete an implant restoration.
Some Advantages of Ceramic Crowns
The leading benefit of a crown crafted with ceramic is the aesthetics. Ceramic crowns can match the reflective quality of natural teeth, allowing an all-ceramic crown to blend with the natural surrounding teeth. In addition, a ceramic crown is more resistant to wear than other options providing longer lasting results.
An all-ceramic restoration is an extremely popular and effective choice if you want to restore the strength or the appearance of a tooth.
Another benefit of a ceramic crown is the fabrication process. Your dentist will have a relationship with a dental lab who has years of specialized training and experience in the fabrication of ceramic restorations. The technicians in the lab will create a ceramic crown with perfectly precise contours that match the shape of your natural teeth.
The Disadvantages of Ceramic Crowns
Because of the complexity, a ceramic crown takes a little longer to fabricate than other types of dental crowns. You will usually need to visit your dentist twice to complete a ceramic crown treatment. Additional laboratory fees can also increase the final cost. You will find the benefits outweigh the small difference in extra time and cost.
Ceramic crowns also need to be thicker than other options to prevent the crown from breaking. This means your dentist will remove more of your natural tooth to accommodate the crown. If a fracture does occur, an all-ceramic crown is more challenging to repair. If the crown fractures, you most likely will require a new restoration. Your dentist and the dental lab will do their best to minimize these probabilities.
Are You a Candidate for a Ceramic Crown
A ceramic crown is an effective restoration choice if you want to restore the appearance and strength of a tooth. A dental crown will help protect a tooth that has been affected by damage or decay and to improve the integrity of your healthy smile. But there are a few situations that may affect your possibility of a ceramic crown, such as:
- Inadequate distance between your teeth- A serious overbite or an erupted tooth will place added pressure on a crown, which would require a stronger material than ceramic.
- Clenching or grinding- The excessive force and pressures created by habits like clenching or grinding can damage a ceramic restoration.
Your dentist may recommend an alternative material to a ceramic crown for other reasons as well. For most patients, a ceramic crown restoration will provide an attractive, strong treatment for restoring their smiles.