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Different Types of All-Porcelain Crowns or All-Ceramic Crowns

Feldspathic porcelain—considered the most beautiful porcelain, this is the traditional porcelain used for crowns.

Empress crowns—fit is more precise; some dentists prefer for aesthetics, and some don't.

Procera crowns—exceptionally strong, but not as natural looking, can be cemented rather than bonded.

Lava crowns—similar to Procera, but a little less opaque. Can also be cemented.

Zirconia crowns—Translucent enough to look natural, if they are bonded rather than cemented.

There are many other kinds of all-porcelain/all-ceramic crowns, too many to list here.

We've listed all these types of crowns not so you can choose which one will be best for you on your own, but so you understand that there are a lot of different options available. If your dentist is only comfortable doing porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, it may be time to reconsider your choice of dentist.

We strongly recommend that you chose your cosmetic dentist with great care, and let them examine your clinical situation and make the best choice for you.

York PA Porcelain Crowns

A smile makeover using porcelain crowns is nothing short of spectacular. Think of the emotional reactions on TV makeover shows when the subject sees his or her face, wearing a perfect smile, for the first time.

What is a porcelain crown?

Porcelain crowns are also called "caps", and that term offers a good mental image for the function of the crown. The use of a porcelain crown becomes necessary when a tooth is very damaged or weak. A porcelain crown usually serves two purposes, in this case–protection and improved appearance. Where porcelain veneers are usually chosen strictly for improved appearance, crowns are usually placed more out of necessity. This doesn't mean that they can't also be an attractive enhancement of your smile. Porcelain crowns might also be used in lieu of veneers in a smile makeover if your teeth are especially misshapen or stained.

Depending on the size and shape of the tooth, some grinding or shaving of the tooth being crowned may be necessary. For this reason, most dentists will use the more conservative treatment, if possible, and go with porcelain veneers. The difference between porcelain crowns and porcelain veneers is a matter of degrees.

Why a cosmetic dentist should place your porcelain crowns.

If you review the different kinds of crowns in the sidebar on the right, you'll notice that several different types of crowns CAN be cemented in place. The question then becomes, SHOULD they be?

Dentin bonding is one of the more exacting skills demanded of a cosmetic dentist. If it isn't done correctly, the crown will fall off or break, or the tooth may have extreme sensitivity. Many general dentists have little experience with direct bonding, and will therefore use conventional cement to place crowns. This becomes a problem not immediately, but over time. If the cement line ever becomes visible (due to receding gums, which often happens as we age), it will show up as a dark line, right at the gum line. No matter how beautiful the crowns are, this dark line will be what people notice.

General dentists may also want to go with a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, regardless of the position of the crown in your mouth. It is true that porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are generally stronger than all-porcelain or all-ceramic crowns, but the metal base of the crown requires the use of an opaquer to mask its color, and there is simply no way to make porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns look like real teeth.

These pictures clearly illustrate the difference translucence makes. Which smile would you prefer for yourself?

Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns		Same smile, all porcelain crowns

Porcelain crowns can create an amazing transformation in your looks, and in your life. A beautiful, happy smile is a gift, not just to you, but to everyone you share your life with.