porcelain dental crown oshawa dentist
Home  /  Blog  /  Everything To Know About Porcelain Crowns

Everything To Know About Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain dental crowns are one of the most common restorative procedures dentists can offer to protect teeth that have suffered extensive damage. It is an excellent treatment option for any patient wanting a natural-looking smile, thanks to its outstanding aesthetic properties. They have some essential qualities that distinguish them from other types of crowns. This information 

What is a porcelain crown?

A porcelain crown is a type of restoration that acts as a cap that covers the tooth entirely. As the name implies, it is made of porcelain, and it’s shaped like a natural tooth. Furthermore, the crown is bonded over a severely damaged tooth that can’t be fixed with composite.

 This happens because large composite restorations are prone to fracture. Meanwhile, porcelain crowns are strong enough to withstand biting forces without an issue.

Aside from their resistance, two qualities make porcelain crowns stand out from their regular porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown counterparts:

● Aesthetic properties
● Conservative approach

This is because they reflect light more naturally and do not need as much tooth-prepping as the PFM ones.

Do they look natural?

Porcelain crowns look almost identical to natural teeth. The reason behind this is that porcelain reflects light almost like enamel does, giving it its amazing aesthetic properties. Your dentist can choose a porcelain colour that matches the other teeth in the mouth perfectly.

Consequently, this is the material of choice for patients who want to replicate the natural look of their teeth. Moreover, it’s the main option for cases that possess a highly aesthetic compromise, such as front teeth cases.

How long do they last?

Porcelain crowns have a long lifespan due to their resistance. They last between 10-15 years on average. However, their longevity depends directly on the case and your daily habits. A porcelain crown can last up to 20+ years in good shape for patients with a good oral care routine.

The patient’s habits can also affect the crown’s longevity. Although porcelain is resistant, the dental crown might fracture or chip if the patient has bad habits, such as biting and chewing hard foods or using their teeth as tools.

How many appointments does it take?

Usually, it takes a minimum of two appointments separated by a week to get a porcelain crown.

At the first appointment, the dentist preps the tooth for the crown and then takes a dental impression. This impression is used by the dental lab to make the crown. In this appointment, the patient leaves the office with a provisional crown bonded to the teeth.

At the second appointment, the dentist replaces the provisional crown with the permanent porcelain one. Some dental offices have a built-in dental lab on their premises and offer same-day porcelain crowns. Contact us to learn more about porcelain dental crowns.

Click to listen highlighted text!