Everything You Need to Know About Porcelain Crowns for Your Smile

While porcelain crowns offer many advantages, it’s crucial to determine when they are the right choice. Here are two primary reasons: 1.- Enhancing the Aesthetics and Function of a Tooth Porcelain crowns are ideal for fractured, worn down, or deformed teeth. Because they cover the entire visible part of the tooth, they can significantly enhance the appearance of a person’s smile. However, opting for a porcelain crown purely for cosmetic reasons may not always be necessary. Less invasive treatments, such as veneers, ceramic restorations (also known as “contact lenses”), or adhesive dentistry options, can offer excellent aesthetic results without the need to reshape natural teeth. 2.- Strengthening the Tooth Porcelain crowns are often used on teeth that are extensively damaged by decay, have lost a significant amount of tissue, or have undergone root canal treatments. These are cases where a simple resin filling wouldn’t provide the needed strength and durability. Advantages of Porcelain Crowns Over Direct Restorations While direct restorations like resin fillings might seem like a more straightforward solution, there are several reasons why porcelain crowns are a better option. Crowns are crafted in a dental lab or using CAD/CAM technology, which ensures a detailed analysis of the patient’s bite and mandibular movements from various angles. This level of precision simply isn’t possible with a direct restoration. Direct restorations are limited by space constraints inside the mouth and have a higher risk of contamination due to saliva. Additionally, porcelain crowns and zirconia crowns, options are more durable, aesthetically pleasing, and functional than direct fillings.