Porcelain Crowns FAQ
San Diego, California
What is a dental crown?
It is a restorative device which covers a damaged or decayed tooth to strengthen it and extend its life. It gives the tooth new surfaces on all sides. The crown of a tooth is that part we can see, above the gums. It’s the part that gets decayed first, and if the decay is stopped before it spreads into the tooth’s root below the gums, a porcelain crown is a good way to cover the remains of that tooth and protect it.
Sometimes a crown is used to enhance the appearance of a tooth, for example, if it has stains which can’t be removed by tooth whitening, and it’s prominent in the person’s smile.
Is a porcelain crown better than a gold one?
Most cosmetic dentists would consider them better. They are considered to be as strong as a gold crown, but unlike gold crowns, they match your natural teeth in color. They are also stain-resistant. That makes them unrecognizable as crowns and more visually pleasing.
What is a Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crown?
It’s a porcelain crown with a metal lining. The porcelain outer surface by itself would not be strong enough for a good chewing surface, so it is given reinforcement in the form of an inner lining. It makes them more durable. The downside is that as we age and our gums slowly recede, that metal can start to show as a thin dark line at the edge of the crown. This betrays the crown as being a crown and not a natural tooth.
What is an all-porcelain crown?
It’s a crown that has a lining made of porcelain instead of metal. The lining is a slightly different form of dental porcelain and it’s bonded to the outer porcelain to give the crown more strength. When the gums start to recede with age, and the lining becomes slightly exposed, it will not be visible, since it’s white like the crown’s outer surface.
What is the crown procedure like?
There are two visits needed.
- First visit
The tooth is cleaned and all decay is removed. A mold (impression) is taken of it which the dental laboratory will use as a model. You are given a temporary crown while waiting for the permanent one - Second visit
The temporary crown is removed and the permanent one placed temporarily on the tooth. The dentist will adjust it until your upper and lower teeth meet smoothly and you feel satisfied that it’s comfortable. Then it will be permanently bonded to the tooth.
What upkeep does a crown require?
They need only the same care as your natural teeth. So you should brush and floss at least once a day and go for regular check-ups with your dentist, and professional teeth cleaning. Even if you brush and floss religiously, there may well be plaque accumulating on your teeth, and hardening into tartar (calculus). But the dental hygienist can remove it all, and polish your teeth, thus giving you a fresh start in your dental maintenance.
At Dr. Loye’s cosmetic dental office in San Diego, California, we offer comprehensive care. That is, we do more than just check your teeth and gums. We consider your overall health too because dental ill-health will affect it. We try to keep you one hundred percent dentally healthy. This contributes enormously to your dental beauty too, because a beautiful smile is first a healthy one. Please call or email us to schedule your free personal consultation.
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The Dentist that Makes You Smile!
3830 Valley Center Drive, Suite 702
San Diego, CA 92130
