Do Ceramic Crowns Turn Yellow?
Dental crowns are a restoration that is used to protect a tooth that has been compromised due to extensive decay, fracture, or even root canal therapy treatment. Full crowns cover the entire exposed structure of the tooth to just below the gum line, and ceramic crowns are incredibly natural-looking and blend in with your teeth.
There are a number of different materials that can be used to fabricate dental crowns, but ceramic and porcelain are the only ones that can be tinted to match the color of your natural teeth. Ceramic crowns should not discolor at all. In fact, it is a good idea to consider whitening your teeth before you get a new crown because if you decide to whiten your teeth afterward, the crown will appear darker than your natural teeth. Ceramic and porcelain crowns do not absorb stains like our natural teeth, and they also do not absorb peroxide in bleaching products.
What other types of materials are used to make dental crowns?
While porcelain and ceramic are the most common materials used to fabricate crowns, especially on the anterior teeth that show when you smile, other materials can be used to fabricate crowns in other areas of the mouth. Base metals are one such material that is incredibly durable and will last nearly a lifetime, as long as the tooth does not develop decay under the crown!
Patients who get crowns made out of base metals usually have them placed on posterior teeth that do not show when you smile, because metals cannot be tinted to the natural color of your teeth like porcelain and ceramic.
One option that gives patients the best of both worlds is porcelain fused to metal. This is a base metal crown that has a porcelain coating over it so that the tooth still appears more natural, but has the durability of metal. The only drawback is that as we age, our gum tissue naturally thins, and the metal can show through the gum tissue, giving a dark appearance at the gum line.
Ceramic crowns are incredibly durable, though they are not as tough as porcelain. They are still one of the best materials for dental crowns and have the potential to last up to 20 years with proper care and maintenance. A little bit of wear and tear is completely natural, but your dentist may be able to fit you with a custom night guard to wear while you are sleeping to avoid any damage from bruxism. Bruxism is the unconscious clenching and grinding that a lot of us do, especially in our sleep. A night guard protects our natural teeth and dental restorations alike from excessive pressure from bruxism.
If you know that you are going to need a dental crown, speak with your dentist to see what material options are available to you and if ceramic is the best option for your individual case.