What Are Porcelain Crowns and How Can They Improve My Smile?
Teeth can sometimes become damaged due to fractures and extensive decay. Unfortunately, these issues are a natural part of the aging process of teeth, but there are some comprehensive ways to protect and restore your teeth with the help of your dentist. In Key West, Dr. Levine offers comprehensive restoration methods to help damaged teeth and keep your smile healthy for the long term. In Keys Dental Specialists, porcelain tooth crowns are among the most effective methods of restoring teeth.
When a tooth is suffering from extensive decay or fractures, a dental crown is the best option for protecting and restoring your health and your smile. A dental crown is a fixed prosthetic device that is cemented to the entirety of the tooth and sits along the base of the gum line. Dental crowns are sculpted to blend in perfectly with the surrounding teeth by closely replicating the look and feel of tooth enamel. At our Key West practice, we provide custom-made porcelain and metal crowns to patients looking for the best restorative options to support and improve function and aesthetics. Your dental crown will look (and feel) like your tooth, and the best part is that you won’t even know it’s there!
There are a few different materials available for crowns, but porcelain is one of the most popular options for its natural look that most closely resembles real teeth. Other options can include metal, gold, or porcelain fused to metal, all of which offer different benefits like durability and biocompatibility. One type may be better than the other simply based on the tooth’s location (front vs. back), tooth structure, and periodontal condition so Dr. Levine will discuss your best options. For people seeking a restorative solution to a missing tooth (or teeth), dental implants or a dental bridge will be a better solution than dental crowns.
Benefits of Porcelain Crowns
Restore and Protect Teeth
Porcelain crowns can be used to entirely cover (cap) a damaged tooth. This can be a good option in cases of fractured teeth, broken teeth, or weakened teeth due to extensive tooth decay. In this case, crowns can both protect the teeth from further damage or decay as well as restore the appearance of your smile.
Achieve Cosmetic Goals
Along with repairing and strengthening the tooth, crowns can also be used to improve the aesthetic appearance of teeth. If a tooth is badly shaped or discolored, then a crown can help restore the tooth to a more natural and uniform appearance. With a tooth restoration procedure in our Keys Dental Specialists office, your crown will likely be undetectable when you smile.
Support Other Dental Work
Crowns can be used to supplement other dental techniques and devices like porcelain veneers or implants and may even be the first step in your treatment plan that includes other restorative options. Additionally, they can be used to help cover large fillings or root canals to both protect the underlying teeth and preserve their appearance.
Who is a Candidate for Porcelain Crowns?
Virtually any dental patient who is suffering from a broken, cracked, or fractured tooth is a good candidate for a porcelain crown. They are suitable solutions for any patient suffering from missing teeth or tooth decay. Dental crowns are often used to support a tooth that required root canal therapy or a large dental filling, which can each result in a weakened tooth that may be susceptible to further damage or decay otherwise. Patients must understand that this restorative work must be complete before the crown is placed, however, so that decay does not progress below the crown. Finally, porcelain dental crowns may be placed for patients who wish to address cosmetic dental issues, as all-porcelain crowns are custom-made according to the precise size, shape, and color needs. Dr. Levine will determine whether a porcelain crown is right for you after an appointment at Keys Dental Specialists
