Porcelain Tooth Crown

Henderson, NV
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When you need a dental crown for a tooth that is highly visible, dentists often recommend porcelain. They match both the color and translucence of your natural tooth so that it is near impossible to tell the difference.

There are a variety of porcelain crown styles available, such as feldspathic, empress, procera, lava, zirconia, and emax. These crowns are also great options for people with sensitivities to metals. These are more expensive and fragile than other materials, so these are usually just a cosmetic option. If you do want a nice balance of look and durability, there are porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns available.

If you have been told you need a crown for a tooth that has been weakened due to an accident, injury, or tooth decay, you have a few options to choose from for crown material. While some dentists use resin, gold, or silver for their crowns, the most common and aesthetically pleasing crowns are made of porcelain which is what our team uses here at Joshua M. Ignatowicz DMD & Associates.

Porcelain Crown Placement

Before crown placement, your tooth must be prepared. This may mean something different for everyone since crowns can be used for tooth decay, extraction, and various cosmetic fixes. If you do have any decay or injury, this must be treated before the crown can be placed. So, this entire procedure may need to happen over the course of multiple appointments.

Once your tooth is disease and injury free, our dentist can reshape it for the crown to fit over it. They will then obtain a dental impression from you. This is used to make a mold of your tooth so that a crown can be custom designed for your mouth.

After we receive your crown, we will schedule you for a placement procedure. It may take two to three weeks for our dental lab to produce your crown.

To place the crown, our dentist first uses a tool to make the surface of your tooth abrasive. This helps the crown attach to your tooth more easily. Our dentist will place the crown over your tooth and check for fit and look and reshape if necessary. Once the crown is ready, our dentist uses a dental cement to permanently attach it to your tooth.

PFM crowns have a similar placement procedure, though they tend to last longer. Whatever type of crown you get, you may need to have a repair or replacement in the future. If your crown is ever damaged or detaches from your tooth, you should contact us right away.

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Porcelain Crown Care

Porcelain crowns require special care compared to other types of crowns because they are so fragile. Whereas, with gold crowns, you can get away with chewing on hard food or grinding your teeth together, porcelain crowns will not stand up well to this type of impact. However, porcelain crowns are generally used on the front teeth that are not involved in chewing. So, you likely do not need to worry about this, but you should still be aware of it.

Avoid biting on hard or sticky foods, especially in the first few days following the crown placement, as well as your fingernails. In addition, if you tend to grind your teeth at night, you should speak to our dentist about nightguards and other solutions. This protects your teeth and will help you get better sleep in general.

To receive a porcelain crown, contact Joshua M. Ignatowicz DMD & Associates at 702-473-5100 today.

How Long Do Porcelain Crowns Last?

The average lifespan of a porcelain crown is 15 years. However, if you take care of your teeth and gums, porcelain crowns can last as long as 25 to 30 years. If you are lucky, and you take care of your teeth, you may never have to replace your porcelain crowns.

How Strong Are Porcelain Crowns?

If crowns were only made of porcelain, they wouldn’t be very strong. However, porcelain crowns are a porcelain top over a metal cap. It is the metal that makes porcelain crowns strong enough to protect your tooth. However, while porcelain crowns are strong, they are not foolproof. You will need to take the same care of your porcelain crown as you do your other teeth. Avoid sticky substances, such as caramel or hard substances, to make sure you don’t damage your crown.

Can You Whiten Porcelain Crowns?

Once the crown is on, you can’t whiten it. If you want whiter teeth, it is best to get your teeth whitened before you have a crown placed. That way, your new crown will match your teeth.

How Long Does It Take To Get A Porcelain Crown?

Porcelain crowns are made to fit your individual tooth, so no two crowns are alike. The dentist will make a mold of your tooth and send it to the lab to make the crown. In the meantime, the dentist will fit a temporary crown onto your tooth so that it is protected while you wait for your new crown to come in. Usually, it takes about two or three weeks for a new crown to be finished.

Once your crown is at the dentist, it only takes a few minutes of your time for the dentist to take the temporary crown off and cement the new crown onto your tooth. The dentist will check the fit of the crown and make sure your bite is perfect with the new crown.

Are Porcelain Crowns Safe?

Many people worry about having foreign substances in their mouths, such as metal. However, there’s no need to worry about crowns. Because the crown is made of porcelain over a metal cap, the chances of you being allergic to the crown are minimal. Also, porcelain is compatible with your body, so there’s little to no chance you’ll have a reaction. In the past, when crowns were made solely of metal, this was a more frequent occurrence. Porcelain is a substance that has been used for decades in all kinds of medical devices, so it is as safe as possible.

Schedule A Porcelain Crown Appointment Today!

If you need a porcelain crown to fit a damaged or diseased tooth, our team at Joshua M. Ignatowicz DMD & Associates can help. Contact us by calling 702-473-5100 to schedule an appointment.