Porcelain Crowns
Crowns are used to reinforce teeth that are weakened due to age, disease or neglect. Porcelain crowns are one type that is used, and has several advantages over other types of crowns - and a few disadvantages.
The "crown" of the tooth is what actually shows above the gum line, and includes the visible surface of the tooth, but not the root. Candidates for porcelain crowns are those whose root system is still healthy and intact, but whose tooth enamel may have deteriorated or been injured. This may be caused by bruxillism (grinding the teeth), improper bite due to a misaligned jaw, tooth decay or simply age-related wear.
When it is determined that a patient is in need of a crown, the dentist will typically take an impression of the damaged (or in some cases, missing) crown and create a temporary crown to be worn while the final one is manufactured in a lab based on that impression.
Types of Porcelain Crowns
There are different types of porcelain crowns. Resin and porcelain crowns are superior to other types, and only a professional dentist upon close examination would be able to distinguish one from natural tooth material once they are in place. These are a fairly recent development and requires that the dentist has extra training and skill in order to be done properly.
The other type of porcelain crown is the fused-to-metal type. These porcelain crowns have been around for a good long time, and can also have a very natural appearance; however, because of the metal substructure, an unsightly dark line around the edges of the crown can develop over time, particularly near the gum line.
As with healthcare in general in the U.S., the degree to which a patient can be helped is primarily based on the ability to pay; costs can vary widely across the country and according to the quality of the material (fused-to-metal are generally less expensive) as well as the skill and training of the dentist. Even those with dental insurance should expect to bear substantial out-of-pocket expenses.
Cosmetic Dentistry
