What is a Ceramic Crown?
A ceramic dental crown is a restoration that is used for a number of dental issues, including decay, root canal therapy, fracture, and even dental bridges. The tooth that has been compromised by any of these issues needs reinforcement, and a dental crown is a restoration that covers the entire exposed structure of a tooth. There are different types of crowns available for different issues, including a three-quarter crown, a full crown, and an implant crown. Crowns are also used as the anchoring part of a dental bridge.
What is a ceramic crown?
Any type of crown can be fabricated, using ceramic materials only, depending on the location of the affected tooth. Ceramic has an incredibly natural-looking appearance and is great for teeth that show when you smile. Ceramic is a very durable material, though it is not quite as durable as porcelain, and has the ability to last decades with proper care and maintenance. One great benefit to ceramic crowns is that the material can be tinted to match the rest of your teeth perfectly!
What else can crowns be made out of?
Gold and Base Metals: Metals can be used to make dental crowns and are incredibly durable, and can take a lot of abuse from daily chewing and speaking. Metal crowns are best for back teeth because they cannot be shade-matched to the rest of your teeth like other material options.
Metal crowns are great for posterior teeth that take the brunt of your bite force. They are extremely durable, and even though they cannot be made to match the rest of your teeth in color, when used on back teeth, they are not visible.
Not everyone is able to have metal crowns, so it is important to disclose any metal allergies to your dentist.
Porcelain: Porcelain is the most common material for dental crowns because it can be tinted to match the rest of your teeth and is very natural-looking. Porcelain is not as durable as metal, but it still has great strength and can last up to 20 years. It is great for patients with metal allergies and for treating front teeth.
Porcelain Fused to Metal: This option gives patients the best of both porcelain and metal! As long as you do not have a metal allergy, your dentist can have a crown fabricated with metal that is covered with porcelain tinted to match your teeth. Porcelain fused to metal gives patients the strength of metal and the aesthetic benefits of porcelain.
Dental crowns are a great option to restore one or more teeth. Your dentist wants you to keep as many of your natural teeth as long as possible, and dental crowns can help you do just that! If you have extensive decay, have fractured a tooth, or have to have root canal therapy, speak with your dentist to see if a ceramic dental crown is a good treatment option to restore your smile.