Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns are ceramic restorations in the shape of a whole tooth that fully cup over the remaining portion of a severely decayed, broken or worn tooth. Crowns are used most commonly to restore a tooth to its original shape, to improve the aesthetic qualities of a tooth or to strengthen a tooth, particularly after root canal treatment.
Crown materials can also include
- Metal – made from various precious or semi-precious metals including gold, nickel, palladium or chromium alloys. These crowns are suitable for use on back teeth.
- Ceramic – These crowns, which include porcelain crowns, look like natural teeth and are suitable for use anywhere in the mouth. In smile makeovers, these crowns can be used in combination with porcelain veneers.
- Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) – these crowns have the appearance of natural teeth, and can be used anywhere in the mouth.
When crowns are fabricated in the dental laboratory, the technician takes into account all aspects of jaw movement, angles and bite mechanisms when sculpting the ideal tooth shape, which in some cases can exceed the original.
