Porcelain crowns can protect and restore teeth that are broken or badly worn. Cosmetic dentist Dr. Becker in Hoffman Estates is interested in helping you preserve your natural teeth. And he can beautifully restore them with crowns.
What Is a Crown?
A dental crown is often referred to as a “cap.” It is placed over a damaged tooth and protects it, from the gumline to the biting surface. Crowns are used in a dental bridge to replace a missing tooth. And when a tooth is replaced with a dental implant, a crown is attached to it.
Types of Crowns
Porcelain-fused-to-metal
Originally, porcelain crowns were only made with a metal foundation to give them strength. Many dentists still use them—particularly on back teeth—where extra support and durability are needed to withstand the forces of chewing and grinding.
All-Porcelain
Advances in dental technology have produced all-porcelain crowns that don’t have a metal foundation. The porcelain can be layered to reflect the color and translucence of your natural teeth and achieve lifelike results.
The photos below show how a dental bridge can be used to replace missing teeth. This patient received two bridges—one on the left and one on the right. Each bridge is anchored with porcelain crowns that were placed on either side of the missing tooth. This restoration beautifully matches the color, shape, and translucence of the patient’s natural teeth.
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AFTER
Zirconia
Zirconium dioxide is so strong that it is often referred to as ceramic steel. Some of the characteristics of zirconia crowns include:
- Virtually no risk of causing a reaction in people with metal allergies or sensitivities, because they are metal free
- Can be made translucent or opaque depending on the requirements for the restoration
- In some cases, a monolithic zirconia crown is cast as a single unit to be used on back teeth. Although the crown won’t have the layers commonly used with porcelain restorations, it will still look natural.
e.max
e.max crowns are made of lithium disilicate, an extremely durable glass-ceramic that can mimic the color, luster, and translucence of your natural teeth. Visit our e.max crowns page for more information.
Natural-Looking Restorations from a Cosmetic Dentist
Dr. Becker is concerned about your long-term oral health and helping you preserve your natural teeth whenever possible. When a crown isn’t necessary, he uses a porcelain onlay to preserve as much healthy tooth structure as possible while protecting the damaged portion. Each year, he participates in more than 60 hours of continuing education to learn about the most advanced techniques and tools to help you have a healthy, beautiful smile that looks and feels natural.
If you would like to know if porcelain crowns are the right option for restoring your teeth, call us to schedule an appointment, or request an appointment online.