Ah, dental crowns. Everybody’s favorite procedure. There are a lot of reasons why you may need a crown, from a root canal to a broken tooth, and porcelain is one of the most common options for material.
So, is porcelain the best material for dental crowns, or are they a thing of the past? Here are some important facts about porcelain crowns from your local Mississagua dentist!
Porcelain Crowns Are Strong
Porcelain is a surprisingly durable material that’s just as strong as your enamel. These crowns usually last for decades at a time and they can even be fused to metal crowns for extra strength. They’re also strong for your smile, as they roughly match the color of your existing teeth!
However, how strong is “strong”? Well, porcelain crowns aren’t exactly guaranteed to last forever. Most of them are set to last for about 15 years in your mouth depending on the size and implantation method.
For example, a bridge that is secured to the teeth around it isn’t going to last as long as an implant. The same thing goes for a small crown on a chipped tooth. You should expect your crown to last you for about 15 years, while some have been reported to last for over 30.
Porcelain Crowns Can’t Be Whitened
If you get a porcelain crown that matches the current color of your teeth and then you get your teeth whitened, the porcelain crown will stand out. However, if you get an ideally white crown surrounded by yellow teeth, you’ll get the same effect.
This isn’t a big deal for most people, especially if the crown is in the back of the mouth. However, if you want them to match, it’s better to whiten your teeth before the crown is put in.
The other truth about their color is that they actually change over time, but this fully depends on the type of porcelain crown. If it’s fused to metal, it may take on a metallic color over time. The crown does have anti-staining resin, which is why it resists whitening, so a diet that consists of highly acidic foods may wear it down over time, which will eventually create slight changes in the color.
Installation Will Take Two Visits
We know that’s great news for the majority of people who love going to the dentist, but for some, it’s worth noting. On your first visit, your dentist will have to examine the damaged area, then perform oral prophylaxis to ensure there are no food particles left on your teeth.
From there, your dentist will need to take an impression of your teeth in order to get your crown properly fitted to your mouth. From there, a shade guide will be used to match the porcelain to the color of the surrounding teeth before crafting the perfectly fitted crown.
On the second visit, your crown will have been crafted in advance and you will be ready for implantation. During this session, your dentist will remove your temporary dental caps and perform another dental cleaning before beginning the procedure. Then, they will attach the crown using a special dental cement and a laser light to make adjustments in order to fit it perfectly in place.
Another disadvantage of these crowns, even though this isn’t specific to porcelain, is that the dentist will have to file down a certain amount of existing tooth to make a secure enough space for the new crown. However, they wouldn’t do that if it wasn’t necessary, as the new crown may even be holding your existing teeth together.
They Are A Safe Material
Porcelain will not wear down and cause you any illnesses, nor will it impact your surrounding teeth in any way. Porcelain is so commonly used in these procedures because it has such a neutral effect on your oral and overall health, and is completely harmless if implanted by the right dentist.
They’re also easy to manufacture and shape to your specific mold. Since they have close to the same strength as your enamel, the risk of breaking them on food (not jawbreakers) is slight.
Porcelain won’t break down to sugar in the way your enamel will. However, it is still best to brush and floss regularly around the area, and to receive routine dental visits. This is because trapping sugar in places around the crown can speed up decay of the surrounding enamel.
Are Porcelain Crowns Worth It?
Well, a full porcelain crown is different from a small cap on an existing tooth, so it’s hard to make a uniform statement about them overall. However, porcelain is a strong material that can last for decades in your mouth, it’s relatively inexpensive, and it can save your existing teeth.
Regardless of the circumstances, dentists are highly trained in these procedures, making them incredibly safe and efficient, and you can even get them done at your local dentist’s office in Mississagua. You’ll be given local anesthesia, so you won’t feel a thing, and you’ll be able to smile brightly again.
Overall, dental crowns are an excellent solution to missing or broken teeth, and porcelain is a perfectly good material to get them done. They match your teeth, they last for decades, and they’re easy to get!
Get Your Crown Today
Whether you want porcelain crowns or any other material, it is important to get these procedures done as soon as possible in order to save the rest of your existing teeth. Stay up to date with our latest dental news, reach out for help with any of your needs, and keep that smile shining bright!
