Crowns are used as one form of restoration for natural teeth. Sometimes referred to as a “cap,” a crown is a covering placed over an entire tooth when it is not otherwise able to be treated or filled if damaged or decayed. Crowns may also be used when repairing missing or broken teeth for the sake of appearance, as well as to protect the remainder of the underlying tooth.
In the past, dental crowns were comprised of porcelain fused to metal. But advancement in modern dentistry has produced crowns made entirely of porcelain, producing a more natural look of teeth while providing the same type of strength and security of porcelain-to-metal crowns. Dr. Srinivasan places porcelain crowns for her patients using the latest technology and high-quality materials.
The Natural Beauty of Porcelain
When a crown has a metal foundation, it can cause a couple of problems. First, the porcelain must be opaque in order to cover the metal. Since teeth are naturally translucent and reflect light, the tooth with the crown will not have that same natural translucency that you see with natural teeth and might appear to have a solid tone, almost as if the tooth had been painted. Another issue is that over time our gum lines recede, and when that happens to crowns with porcelain fused to metal, the metal begins to show at the top of the gums creating an unsightly black line. All-porcelain crowns eliminate the possibility of this happening, while recreating the inherent beauty and translucency of natural teeth.
Porcelain Crown Options
Placing of dental crowns typically involves a multi-step process to achieve the right shape, fit, tone, color and translucency of the teeth. All of our crowns are sent to the lab for color matching and are made from high quality materials. Depending on your needs, there are a couple of different types of crowns the dentist may recommend.
E.max
E.max crowns are among the newest types of dental porcelain. Known for their aesthetic beauty, they closely resemble natural teeth in appearance and in the way the crown’s surface duplicates the wear of natural enamel. For this reason, Dr. Srinivasan chooses E.max for her patients who need anterior crowns.
Zirconia
Zirconia crowns are made from a type of high-strength ceramic that mimics the strength of metal in that it can bend and flex with minimal risk of breaking. Dr. Srinivasan prefers the strength of zirconia when placing crowns on back teeth.
Dr. Srinivasan enjoys working with patients who benefit from the aesthetic improvements porcelain crowns can have on their smiles. If you are thinking about the possibility of dental crowns to improve, enhance, or repair your smile, contact us to find out what treatment options are available.