Porcelain Crowns
Great Falls, MT
 What are Porcelain Crowns?
A crown is a fixed prosthetic device that is cemented onto an existing tooth or implant. They are most commonly used to cover an implant or a damaged tooth. Crowns are also used to improve the appearance and shape of your teeth.
All-ceramic dental crowns are crowns made completely of a glass-like substance like porcelain. Compounds containing other materials are also common. The substances used for crowns resemble the appearance of natural teeth, making them very popular.
What are the Advantages of Crowns?
Porcelain crowns have a lot of benefits including:
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The fabrication techniques used in crown production make them incredibly lifelike, unmatched by other types of restoration
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Porcelain crowns reflect light and resemble that of a normal tooth, making for an amazingly shiny smile
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The types of ceramics utilized to make porcelain crowns are good for biocompatibility
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Single-visit placement is available for porcelain crown procedures, meaning you won’t need a temporary crown |
Are Porcelain Crowns the Right Choice for Me?
If the appearance of your tooth is a concern for you, then a porcelain crown is a good option to consider. Because of the level of translucency and specialization we can apply to them, they can copy the luster of your natural teeth. This is especially important for front teeth, which show prominently.
Extra-Strength Crowns
There are also situations that require strong crowns, such as:
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Patients who grind their teeth, putting extra pressure on them
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Teeth with fracture lines in them, and thus are in danger of cracking
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Cases, where other completed dental work (root canal treatment, for example) could end up compromised or damaged if the crowns fail |
For situations like these, we can make ceramic crowns with exceptional strength characteristics.
What Problems Can Develop with Crowns?
There are a few complications about crowns that we want our patients to know about:
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After your tooth is crowned, it may feel uncomfortable or sensitive as the anesthesia wears off. If this happens, we can prescribe toothpaste meant for sensitive teeth. If you experience pain when you bite down, that may mean the crown is placed too high on the tooth. Contact us, and we can easily fix that.
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Crowns made of porcelain fused to metal sometimes chip. If you suffer a minor chip, we can repair it with composite resin. However, if the chip is larger and deeper, we may need to replace the crown.
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If the cement gets washed out from underneath the crown, the crown can loosen, and bacteria can enter the gap created. Contact us if you feel a loose crown.
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Crowns can occasionally fall off if the cementing material loosens or the underlying tooth decays. If this happens, clean the tooth and the crown and contact us so we can reattach it.
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Sometimes people have allergic reactions to the materials used in the crowns, but this is very rare. |
How Long Do Crowns Last?
Crowns are designed to last a lifetime if they are properly cared for, but sometimes they can loosen or fall out. Avoid chewing hard foods or objects such as ice or pens, as this can damage the crown. The best thing you can do to preserve your crowns is to take good care of your teeth. Brush and floss your teeth twice a day and come in for dental appointments and [[[oage:29072|teeth cleanings]]] every six months.
If you would like more information about porcelain crowns, give River's Edge Dental a call at (406) 315-5882.
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