Porcelain Crowns
A porcelain crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a damaged, broken, or worn tooth. Crowns cover all the surfaces of the tooth and restore both structure and function. Dental crowns are usually made up of a bunch of materials such as metal, gold, resin, ceramic, etc. While metal crowns are more popular due to their strength, porcelain crowns are preferred for teeth that will be visible when smiling since they are more natural-looking.
Benefits of Porcelain Crowns
- Protect and strengthen a structurally weak tooth (like root canal treated tooth)
- Restore the function of the compromised tooth or teeth
- Used along with a dental bridge to provide support
- Used to retain the structure of a cracked tooth
- Also used to cover a discolored or stained tooth
- Crowns are also placed over the dental implant abutment
Types of Porcelain Crown
Porcelain crowns are mainly of two types – PFM (porcelain fused to metal) crowns and all-ceramic crowns. PFM crowns have a metal base and are covered with a layer of tooth-colored porcelain to make them more aesthetic. They have more strength when compared to all-porcelain crowns and are given in the posterior teeth since they have to withstand higher forces.
All-porcelain crowns in Anoka MN are made of translucent porcelain all over and have a higher aesthetic value. They are mostly used to cover the front teeth since with PFM crowns, a thin metal margin is always visible. This renders them unsuitable for any teeth that are visible when smiling. However, the downside is that they lack the strength of PFM crowns.
Make sure that you consult your dentist before opting for a porcelain crown.
Porcelain Crown Advantages
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Preferable for patients with a metal allergy
- Highly biocompatible
- Can be corrected even after fabrication
Porcelain Crown Disadvantages
- All-porcelain crowns can be expensive
- Long and complicated preparation time
- All-porcelain crowns aren’t as strong as metal crowns
On average, porcelain crowns in Anoka MN last about 5-15 years. The durability of the crown depends on the patient’s oral hygiene, habits, and lifestyle. While they tend to undergo regular wear and tear, poor oral hygiene and bad habits accelerate the damage caused to dental crowns. If the crowns are cared for and maintained properly, they can last anywhere from 25 to 30 years.
You can increase the longevity of your porcelain crown by –
- Ensuring proper oral health, i.e., brushing twice a day and flossing once a day at least.
- Avoiding habits like smoking, tobacco chewing, etc., which might give rise to gum disease and adversely affect the crown.
- Avoid chewing on hard foods like nuts, hard candy, ice, etc. Also, skip opening bottles or jars with your teeth as this can dislodge the crown or break it.
- Patients with habits such as excessive grinding or clenching are advised to wear night guards or habit-breaking appliances to prevent damage to healthy teeth and crowns.
- Regular visits to your dentist at Anoka Dental are also advised.
If you have a damaged, broken, or decayed tooth, or simply want to get a more radiant smile, get in touch with Dentists at Anoka Dental today for Porcelain Crowns in Anoka MN. Call (763) 421-4002 to schedule an appointment.
