Porcelain Crowns

After a thorough examination, the dentist will be able to tell if porcelain crowns are the best option for a patient. This treatment is not recommended for patients with severe gum problems.

No need for hospital stay

30 to 60 minutes

Before going to their first dentist appointment, patients should prepare their dental records and a list of questions they may have for the dentist. Also it is recommended to have a clear image of their expectations and check with the dentist if they are attainable. An important aspect of preparation for dental crowns is to get informed about the costs of the procedure and to choose the type of treatment that is affordable for you.

No recovery period is associated with porcelain crowns procedure but depending on the anesthesia and sedation option, the patient may need to avoid driving or activities that require attention for a couple of hours. After the treatment, patients may return to their normal daily activities.

Porcelain Crowns can involve some risks and complications, but these are rare, with a crowns complications rate of about 4.1%: 
• Bleeding; 
• Infection; 
• Increased sensitivity; 
• Nerve damage; 
• Tooth decay; 
• Repair or replacement procedure; 
• A darker coloration of the gum; 
• Crown displacement. 

Porcelain crowns reviews set the success rate at 92%, 6 years after the procedure. Porcelain crowns are highly successful in restoring and dramatically improving the appearance of damaged teeth.

immediately

Advantages, Disadvantages & Alternatives

Porcelain crowns are one of the most common types of dental restorations available for patients today, after tooth fillings. This solution is perfect for patients with decayed, damaged, or darkened teeth, as crowns can be placed on virtually any tooth with a healthy root. The crowns themselves can be manufactured from a wide variety of materials but nowadays porcelain is the norm since it’s capable of offering great results in terms of survivability, strength and aesthetics. That being said, porcelain crowns may not be the best option for every patient – your dentist will put forward an alternative if that’s the case. Let’s take a look at a few porcelain crowns advantages, disadvantages, and alternatives.

Advantages

• Porcelain crowns are perhaps one of the most aesthetic solutions patients can opt for. The crowns themselves can be produced to match your existing teeth perfectly in terms of shape, size, colouring and translucence. Thus, the crown will be indistinguishable from your natural teeth, resulting in a natural looking smile.
• Porcelain crowns can be fused to a metal cap for extra strength and durability, making them last much longer than traditional full-porcelain crowns.
• All-porcelain crowns don’t have any dark lines or spots at the bottom, as is the case with porcelain fused to metal crowns, making them look much better.
• Porcelain Fused to Metal crowns fit much better than all-porcelain crowns, ensuring better durability.
• Porcelain crowns are biocompatible, meaning that there is no risk of allergic reactions to the materials or irritated gums.
• Porcelain fused to metal crowns are a bit more affordable than all-porcelain crowns.

Disadvantages

• All-porcelain crowns don’t have a lot of disadvantages, but they are worth mentioning none the less. The biggest disadvantage of porcelain fused to metal crowns is that the metal part can be seen through the porcelain, appearing like a dark line at the base of the tooth.
• All-porcelain crowns offer less strength and durability compared to porcelain fused to metal crowns. They are also statistically more prone to chipping or cracks, especially for patients engaging in sports or eating hard foods.
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns require more material to be removed from the tooth before placement.
• Porcelain crowns are more likely to cause sensitivity to very cold or hot foods.
• All porcelain crowns are somewhat more expensive than other types of crowns.

Alternatives

Full Metal Crowns – these crowns require less material to be removed from the patient’s tooth before placement. They are also very strong and able to withstand lots of pressure, making them perfect for patients suffering from bruxism. Full metal crowns are also more affordable than other variants.

Zirconia Dental Crowns – zirconia crowns are white and translucent, making them very aesthetically pleasing and offering a natural-looking smile. These crowns are perfect for the visible teeth, such as the front teeth.

Porcelain Fused to Metal – these crowns look natural but due to their metal substructure are not recommended for the front teeth for example.