What is a porcelain crown?
A porcelain crown (also called a “cap”) is used to restore broken, decayed, or chipped teeth. Crowns look and function exactly like natural teeth and are supported by the natural tooth root. Porcelain crowns are also used to cover discoloration after a root canal. Dr. Sands provides natural-looking results for her patients who are seeking tooth restoration.
The advantages of porcelain crowns include:
Natural
appearance
No gray color
near the gum line
Improved ability
to chew and speak
No bone loss
resulting from missing teeth
How do porcelain crowns work?
Placing a porcelain crown typically requires two visits to Dr. Sands’ office. The first visit will involve removing decay and preparing the tooth so that the crown can fit easily. During this visit, a temporary crown is placed over the prepared tooth to avoid discomfort while Dr. Sands’ ceramist manufactures the custom porcelain crown. Once the customized crown is made, the patient will return for a second visit to have it placed. Once the crown fits properly and meets the patient’s aesthetic standards, Dr. Sands will permanently cement the crown into place.
Some patients who have crowns from previous dentists may notice an unattractive gray line at the base of their restored tooth due to the clashing color of the material that supports the crown. Dr. Sands avoid this issue by using high-quality, tooth-colored zirconium or lithium disilicate to support the new tooth.
