Porcelain Crowns – Why so Popular?

Porcelain crowns are one of the most effective and reliable ways to restore teeth. Also, dental prosthetics technologies have advanced for many years. That it is difficult to distinguish a high-quality ceramic crown from a patient’s own tooth.

Today, there are four main materials in restorative dentistry: composite (essentially plastic), metal (various alloys, including precious metals), zirconium dioxide (metal oxide, very strong and bio inert) and ceramics. In this article we will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of ceramics.

Advantages of porcelain crowns

• Aesthetics – Wins over all of the above materials. Also, a competent dental technician can make an artificial crown that is indistinguishable from a natural tooth. This is not a common stamp. Ceramics are really as close as possible in optical properties to the tissues of the tooth;
• Strength – metal and zirconium dioxide are stronger, but their strength is much higher than necessary for the oral cavity – you will gnaw the stones with new crowns. With all this, the safety margin of modern porcelain masses is absolutely sufficient for all types of food that you would agree to chew with your teeth;
• Preservation of properties over time – porcelain does not change their structure in the oral cavity – its surface remains the same smooth after 10 years of use. Also, it is important that the smooth surface does not retain plaque. Which causes gum and periodontal diseases.
• Preservation of the integrity of the tooth. Also, to prepare a tooth for an all-porcelain crown, less grinding is usually required. Also, in the manufacture of veneers, only the front surface of the tooth is affected.
• Application in micro-prosthetics. Bridges can be made without turning the supporting teeth under the crowns.
• Biocompatibility. The absence of metal in the mouth reduces the risk of any intolerance or allergic reaction.

There are certain disadvantages of porcelain crowns. First of all, it is the increased brittleness characteristic of porcelain materials. Also, a significant disadvantage is the relatively high abrasiveness. Which affects the adjacent touching teeth. In addition, there are shortcomings of porcelain teeth. For example, doctors note the lack of complete fit in the places of fixation of the crown. As not always a tight fit of the gums to the prosthesis.