- A large cavity
- Fractured
- Decay
- Undergone root canal therapy
The crown is used because it covers the entire tooth, returning the tooth to health and strength.
There are generally three types of crowns used in dentistry:
- 100 percent porcelain crowns
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns
- All metal (gold) crowns
For strength, health, endurance and a natural appearance, many dentists will only use crowns fabricated of all porcelain.
Safe
First of all, porcelain is biocompatible; it won't cause any allergic reactions in your body. It's safe for your tooth, your health and the environment.
Porcelain is also temperature-resistant. The metal in PFM crowns react to temperature changes just like metal outside your mouth does: it expands when exposed to heat and contracts when exposed to cold. All this movement can cause a variety of problems.
Natural-Looking
The porcelain also creates a completely natural appearance. The material is translucent, allowing light to pass through. This allows the crown to look just like your real tooth. No one will know it's a crown. Gold crowns will be obvious in your smile, making your teeth dark and discolored. Crowns made of porcelain-fused-to-metal cause an unattractive gray line to appear at your gum line. Both gold and PFMs reflect light, creating an artificial appearance.
Strength
Most importantly, porcelain crowns restore your tooth the strength and require far less tooth preparation for placement. As a result, you can preserve more of your natural tooth structure.
Procedure
Getting a porcelain crown is a two-step process. First a mold is taken of the tooth to be restored, then sent to a lab. The lab handcrafts the restoration to create a precise, custom fit, then sends the final crown back your dentist.
In the interim, you are fitted with a temporary crown that protects your tooth and restores your smile until the final crown is ready.
You will return to the dentist. The temporary will be removed and the permanent crown will be cemented on your tooth.
Insist on Porcelain
When your dentist recommends a dental crown, insist on an all-porcelain crown. In terms of health, safety, strength and appearance, no other crown compares.