Porcelain Crowns – What are the Characteristics?

How should you take care of your porcelain crowns?

The installation of dental crowns is an integral part of the procedure of dental prosthetics. One of the most popular are porcelain crowns, which have excellent aesthetics and good functional properties.

Porcelain crowns are ceramic structures that do not contain metal in their composition. In modern dentistry, these products are used for aesthetic restoration. When the installed prosthesis does not differ in appearance from a natural tooth. In this article we will tell you about the distinctive features and the stages of their manufacture in this material.

Porcelain crowns for front teeth

The main distinguishing feature is that they do not have metal impurities in their composition. So their use is especially justified in the case of a patient with an allergy to metal. Materials are special mixtures based on porcelain, which are inert, so they do not stain or irritate soft tissues.

A few years ago, in most cases, prosthetics with porcelain crowns were carried out in the anterior part of the jaw, since it was believed that for chewing teeth, which fall under heavy loads, such products are too fragile. Indeed, conventional porcelain crowns are more fragile compared to their metal counterparts, but the use of a zirconium dioxide frame has made it possible to achieve the necessary strength and make it possible to use them in any area of the jaw. In general, the indications for use in porcelain crowns are almost the same as in other structures of this type.

Among the indications for the use of porcelain crowns can also be attributed to the complete destruction of the tooth. Another option, when all-ceramic crowns are optimally suited, is the need for prosthetics of several adjacent teeth.

Proper care and service life

Practice shows that with proper and timely care, porcelain teeth can last up to 10-15 years. Here it is important not to forget that porcelain is a relatively fragile material, and even a minor crack can eventually disable the crown. Therefore, excessive or” shock ” loading on the crowns should be avoided. For example, it is known that porcelain crowns fail faster in patients who have a habit of strongly clenching their teeth. Simultaneous intake of hot and cold food can also reduce the service life of prostheses.

Care for teeth made of porcelain should be no less carefully than for natural teeth. Dental plaque cannot cause harm to the prostheses themselves, but the ingress of bacteria under the crowns can lead to the development of caries and accelerated destruction of the supporting teeth. Using a good fluoride toothpaste will help take care of another vulnerable spot — the area of the gum next to the crown.