Dental crowns, also called caps, are a sturdy restoration that strengthens and restores damaged teeth. When crafted from today’s high-tech porcelains, they look almost identical to natural teeth and can even improve them.
There are many different types of crowns available, ranging from porcelain fused to metal for posterior molars to layered zirconia and lithium disilicate for anterior crowns. Our dentists will help you determine the best material for your needs.
Porcelain Crowns
Dental crowns (or caps) are restorations that encase an entire tooth surface and restore its original size, shape, and appearance. They are usually used on teeth with extensive decay, fractures or that have undergone root canal therapy and need more protection than a filling can provide.
Our dentists offer a variety of types of crowns to match your natural smile and meet the needs of your specific case. They can be made of porcelain, ceramic, porcelain fused to metal, gold or a high noble metal alloy.
Porcelain crowns are most commonly used on front teeth because of their resemblance to the color of your natural tooth enamel. porcelain crowns Tallahassee FL are fabricated in the lab using several layers of baking to achieve their natural layered appearance and luster. They also have the added benefit of strength compared to other types of crowns. However, they are not as durable as a natural tooth and may need to be replaced.
Metal Crowns
A metal crown is a type of dental restoration that covers and protects damaged teeth. It is typically made from a metal alloy and porcelain material. The metal component increases the strength of the crown, enabling it to endure pressure from chewing. The porcelain element provides aesthetic benefits and helps the crown blend in with the shade of natural teeth.
A metal crown is generally used for molars and other back teeth that are not highly visible in the mouth. They provide exceptional durability and strength. They also require minimal tooth preparation, which preserves more of the natural tooth structure. Additionally, they can withstand the biting and chewing forces of the back teeth, and are resistant to staining. However, they may cause more wear on the opposing natural teeth, and are not suitable for patients with metal allergies or sensitivities. Additionally, metal crowns are more expensive than porcelain ones.
CEREC® Same-Day Crowns
Unlike traditional crowns that are fabricated in an off-site lab, CEREC same-day crowns are designed and made on site. This process saves patients time and money by eliminating the need for multiple office visits, messy dental impressions, and waiting weeks for a finished product.
A CEREC same-day crown is fashioned from ceramic, a durable material that mimics the appearance of natural teeth down to the finest details. The dentist uses a camera to take digital pictures of the tooth, then an on-site milling machine creates the new crown out of ceramic. The crown is polished and placed on the tooth, leaving the patient with a finished smile.
Although CEREC porcelain crowns Tallahassee FL look like a natural tooth, they are not as strong as a porcelain-fused-to-metal or full gold crown. If a patient is going to be engaging in high-impact activities, a traditional metal crown may be a better option. Dental insurance coverage also affects pricing; selecting a dentist that is in-network with the patient’s provider can lower overall costs.
Dental Implants
For many patients missing multiple teeth, the best option is to replace them with a dental implant-supported restoration. Traditional crowns, bridges and partial dentures all rely on nearby healthy teeth for support, but implants integrate with the jawbone to strengthen the prosthetics.
Dental implants can be used to support all manner of replacement teeth, including porcelain dental crowns, dental bridges and full or partial dentures. These restorations can restore the gap in your smile and reclaim your strong bite for years to come.
Our patients enjoy dental implant-supported porcelain crowns Tallahassee FL because they replicate the entire tooth structure down to the root. This helps them eat more comfortably and reclaim their natural strength for the long term. Dental implants are also the only restorations that prevent bone deterioration from missing teeth, as the titanium core stimulates the jawbone like the natural tooth root did. Patients with dental implants should still practice proper oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing regularly, and maintain routine visits to the dentist for cleanings and exams.
