Porcelain Dental Crowns: Advantages and Disadvantages

The modern procedure of dental prosthetics, as a rule, is accompanied by the installation of crowns. Various materials are used for the manufacture of these elements. One of the most popular options is porcelain dental crowns. Let's take a closer look at these designs, which are regularly used in dental practice.

What are porcelain crowns?

Porcelain crowns are products that are distinguished by maximum attractiveness and naturalness. For their manufacture, pressed ceramics are used without the addition of metal impurities. Although porcelain crowns are inferior to metal-ceramic and metal crowns in terms of strength, they are often used in aesthetic dentistry.

What is the main difference between porcelain structures? Such material is capable of transmitting light rays, due to which prostheses are almost impossible to distinguish externally from natural teeth. 

Porcelain crowns are mainly installed on the front teeth. But, as you can find out here, designs can also be used for lateral dentition. In this case, additional reinforcement with zirconium frameworks is required.

How porcelain crowns are made

Creating dental crowns from porcelain is a painstaking process that requires the use of expensive equipment. Only a qualified dental technician can cope with the task properly.

There are two techniques for making porcelain crowns — layering and injection molding, which allows you to get a more durable product. This procedure consists of the following steps:

• Tooth preparation, choice of crown color;
• Taking impressions for making a model of the jaw;
• Creating a mold from platinum foil into which porcelain will then be poured;
• Heat treatment of the crown to increase strength;
• Final color and shape correction;
• Staining and glazing.

When to install porcelain crowns

Porcelain crowns have clear indications for installation. They can be used in these situations:

• Aesthetic restoration of the front teeth (the presence of defects — cracks, chips, discoloration, etc.);
• Correction of a slight curvature of the dentition;
• Prosthetics of teeth after injuries and other damages.

Please note: the installation of porcelain crowns is not recommended in the presence of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity (acute or chronic periodontitis), bruxism, and diagnosed malocclusion.

Advantages and disadvantages

Porcelain crowns have many advantages that make them very popular among patients. These include:

• Absolute biological inertness of the material. Such crowns do not cause allergic reactions and can be safely installed in case of allergy to metals. In addition, they do not stain the gums with constant contact.
• Porcelain retains its original color throughout the entire period of operation and does not change under the influence of food dyes.
• The possibility of using for the manufacture of bridges in the presence of a framework of zirconium.
• Maximum resemblance to natural teeth.

Porcelain crowns also have disadvantages. They are more fragile structures than metal and metal-ceramic prostheses. Dentists also note their high abrasiveness, which negatively affects adjacent teeth, insufficient fit to the gums, and high cost.

Which dental crown is right for you? Only an experienced dentist can answer this question after a thorough examination. Take care of your smile and do not put off a visit to a specialist!