Dental crowns cover a tooth entirely. Crowns are necessary when a tooth is weakened or missing a large part of its original structure. Crowns are also called dental caps. There is no difference between a crown, a dental cap, or a tooth cap, as all are the same tooth restoration.
Crowns can be made from various materials, but most nowadays are made from porcelain. A well-fabricated and properly cared-for porcelain crown can last ten years or longer.
What Is a Porcelain Crown?
A porcelain crown is a restoration designed to fit over the entire tooth. During preparation, our dentist in Hackensack will need to remove some tooth material. This is to ensure there is enough room for the porcelain crown to fit securely and comfortably. Once made, the porcelain crown is bonded permanently onto the tooth.
In addition to protecting a damaged tooth, crowns can cover teeth that have received root canal treatment or restore dental implants. They also form part of a dental bridge.
When Would I Need a Porcelain Crown?
We may recommend you have a tooth crown in the following situations.
- Protect a cracked tooth.
- Strengthen a weak tooth, for example, if it has a large dental filling.
- Restore a tooth that may be worn down or broken.
- Cover a tooth that has received root canal therapy.
- Support a dental bridge.
- Restore a dental implant.
- Cover a tooth that is discolored or stained.
- Cover a tooth that is too small or not an ideal shape.
What Can Porcelain Crowns Be Made from?
Several different types of porcelain can be used to make a crown for a tooth. Options include porcelain fused to metal crowns, pressable ceramic crowns, and same-day crowns.
Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns
Porcelain fused to metal crowns (PFMs) have been around for decades and are reliable and durable. A PFM has a thin metal substructure that is covered with porcelain. The result is a crown that looks reasonably natural, and the color matches the shade of your natural teeth.
Advantages of PFM Crowns
PFM crowns can be used to restore front and back teeth. They are an affordable porcelain crown and are quite strong. A PFM crown can be an excellent choice for restoring back teeth, where aesthetics may be less important. This is because more modern all-porcelain options can result in better aesthetics and be preferable for a front tooth crown.
Drawbacks of PFMs
There are several drawbacks to PFM crowns, including the following.
- An opaque porcelain is needed to cover the metal substructure, which is covered with more translucent porcelains. Although effective, the opaque porcelain underneath doesn’t transmit light through the crown like a crown made entirely from ceramic materials, so that the overall result can be less natural than alternative materials.
- Over time, the gum around the margin of the crown can start to recede, exposing the edge of the PFM. Because the porcelain is thinner in this area, it can look a little grey, creating a grey line in the mouth.
- As a PFM ages, there is a risk that the porcelain could begin to chip away, exposing the metal underneath.
Pressable Ceramic Crowns
Pressable ceramic crowns like e.max can produce excellent aesthetics. A solid block of porcelain is heated until it becomes flowable and then pressed under vacuum. Porcelain can then be added to the crown to characterize and perfect it further.
These crowns have high translucency, closely replicating a natural tooth by mimicking tooth enamel closely. Pressable crowns are a good choice for a front crown for a tooth. They can also restore back teeth as the material is reasonably strong.
Same Day Crowns
Thanks to modern CAD/CAM technology, we can make and fit beautiful porcelain crowns on the same day. My New Jersey Dentist has an on-site CEREC® milling machine.
What are CEREC® Crowns?
CEREC crowns are precision-made and are milled from a solid block of pre-shaded porcelain. Because they use digital technology, the fit is extremely good. The ceramic used to create them is high-quality, and each crown is hand-finished by our skilled technicians in our on-site dental laboratory. The result is a beautiful new crown ready to fit on the same day.
How are CEREC® Crowns Made?
Instead of a conventional dental impression, we scan the prepared tooth using a tiny handheld digital camera. It takes thousands of images that create a 3-D digital dental impression. Our dentist uses sophisticated software to design your new crown using this digital dental impression. Once ready, the design is transmitted to our on-site milling machine. It doesn’t take long for the machine to mill the new crown precisely.
Is a CEREC® Crown as Good as a Traditional Crown?
Yes, as the all-ceramic material closely replicates natural tooth enamel, similarly transmitting light, it looks entirely natural. We keep a wide choice of shades in stock, and your crown is custom-finished before fitting.
A CEREC crown eliminates needing a temporary crown and a second dental appointment.
My New Jersey Dentist
385 Prospect Ave, Suite 304,
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 425-9580
Web Address https://mynjdentist.com/
Google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oksyfTuQodLzAix68
https://plus.codes/87G7VWWW+8X
Nearby Locations:
Maywood | Teaneck | Lodi | Little Ferry | Ridgefield Park | Hasbrouck Heights | River Edge | Saddle Brook | Palisades Park | New Milford | Garfield | Englewood | Bergenfield | Ridgefield | Elmwood Park
07601 | 07602 | 07603 | 07604 | 07666 | 07644 | 07643 | 07660 | 07657 | 07661 | 07663 | 07663 | 07650 | 07646 | 07631 | 07632 | 07621 | 07657
Working Hours:
Monday-Friday: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday: by appointment only
Payment: cash, check, credit cards.
Comments