Understanding Porcelain Crowns

Before choosing the material for a replacement dental crown one needs to understand the role the crown plays in occlusal function.

While there are three common materials employed in the manufacture of crowns, or "caps", the most frequently used is porcelain.There are two standard varieties of porcelain: Pure porcelain or ceramic, and porcelain fused to metal. The porcelain crown with a metal core - usually gold or another metal or alloy - provides a much stronger restoration.

To make the fitting of a crown a success, the tooth being restored must be prepared thoroughly. This presents a difficulty with the porcelain on metal crowns as they require a significant amount of space around the tooth to apply them securely. The dentist will do his best to retain as much of the natural tooth as possible.

Problems with the porcelain on metal crowns could also arise when a patient’s gum slowly recedes with age revealing some of the metal beneath the outer porcelain cover. Most dentists make crowns with all-porcelain "collars" which hide the metal as the gum recedes.

Crowns made exclusively of porcelain are nothing but ceramic materials like zirconia and other aluminous material. The fact that the all porcelain crowns do not have a core means that they are less bulky, and can fit into tighter spaces, but they are much less sturdy than their metal-core counterparts.Many patients opt for the ceramic crowns because they are more realistic in appearance.

Two visits to the dentist are usually required to complete this treatment. In the first visit the dentist prepares the affected and surrounding teeth, if necessary, and fit a temporary crown to the compromised tooth. On the second visit the patient assesses the new crown for fit and aesthetics and, once they are satisfied, the dentist attaches the crown permanently with dental cement or adhesives.

People with partial dentures may also need crowns applied to the teeth that will be used to secure their partial dentures.

Many cosmetic dentists will recommend implant treatment instead of crown placement, if at all possible, because the implants deliver a stronger and more natural bite, and can support partial dentures without compromising any potential abutting teeth.