Porcelain Dental Crowns, What are They?

Ritter and Ramsey General and Cosmetic Dentistry service Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, and all of Palm Beach County, Florida.

Porcelain crowns are tooth-shaped caps that are used to change the appearance of the desired tooth. These crowns cover the teeth to add strength, adjust the size and update the appearance of the tooth. When a porcelain dental crown is used, it typically sits just above the gum line, therefore doesn’t go far below the gums.

What Are Porcelain Dental Crowns Used For?

Porcelain dental crowns can be used for a variety of reasons. A dental crown is customized to fit over the desired tooth to cover and add strength to damaged, decayed or cracked tooth. Dental crowns can be made from a number of different materials such as porcelain, gold, different types of resin, and metals. Porcelain is typically the most popular material used for crowns as it mimics the looks of natural teeth perfectly.

Porcelain Dental Crown Process

If you have a decayed tooth that you wish to have covered with a porcelain crown, it’s important to know the full process before undergoing the procedure. On your first appointment session, the dentist will first numb around the tooth that will be worked on with a gentle local anesthetic. Once you are completely numb, the dentist will remove every bit of decayed (or decaying) tooth. When the tooth is clean, it will be reshaped to accommodate a crown. Your dentist will then take an impression of your tooth to be sent to their lab where they will mold a custom porcelain crown. During this time, a temporary dental crown (made of acrylic resin) will be fitted to your tooth while your porcelain tooth is made.

On your second appointment, the temporary cap will be gently removed while the permanent porcelain dental crown is bonded to your tooth. Your dentist will be sure to communicate with you to stay away from hard or chewy foods for the first few days to avoid any disruption to the crown, as it is brand new. Be sure to avoid too cold or too hot foods or beverages as the sensitivity of your new crown will be at a high level. Do not be alarmed if this happens, the sensitivity will die down after a few days.

How to Maintain a Porcelain Dental Crown

Patients must take care of their dental crowns as if they are their natural teeth. Be sure to brush your teeth and floss twice a day. It’s important to visit your dentist twice yearly to ensure no cavities go untreated, or come up at all. Dental crowns do age and lose their strength over time, especially if you chew on harder foods such as ice or pistachios. Dental crowns don't typically pop out or slide out of your mouth, rather they crack or break if they’re not taken good care of. Do contact your dentist if any of the above occurrences happen.

Contact Ritter and Ramsey about further questions on porcelain dental crowns. Dental crowns are just one option for many in the dental cosmetic industry, ask our dentist if porcelain dental crowns might be right for you.

Want to find out if you need a crown? Either call us today, or read more here!