The Benefits of Porcelain Crowns

Illustration of dental crown

Sometimes, cavities are too big, and tooth decay is too extensive to resolve adequately with a large filling. Big fillings, after all, can make the tooth vulnerable to breakage over the long term. Likewise, a tooth may be so damaged that root canal therapy is necessary to “save it.” Patients in both of these scenarios can benefit from dental crowns. This type of dental restoration is one of the most versatile treatment options available to dentists like Dr. Dan Hwang of Creo Dentistry in Marysville, Washington. 

The beauty, strength of porcelain 

All crowns are generally designed similarly; the natural tooth is cleared of any decayed tissue. Then, the tooth is shaped. So, the crown can fit seamlessly over the prepared, natural tooth. The new crown merely replaces the white part of the tooth that is visible above the gum line (the natural crown). It is cemented or fixed securely over the tooth. 

Crowns may be made with several different materials, including metals such as gold and ceramics like porcelain. Some crowns even contain a combination of metal and porcelain aptly called “PFM” (Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal crowns). Porcelain is a coveted material because it has many attractive properties: 

  • Incredibly lifelike, right down to how the light is reflected off the surface of the porcelain (best mimics natural tooth enamel)
  • Biocompatible or gentle to surrounding natural tissues 
  • Very strong and durable 
  • Resists stains 
  • Conservative: generally, less natural tooth material must be removed to accommodate restorations made from porcelain 
  • Retains an attractive appearance 

Over time, the appearance of some porcelain crowns that are made with a metal core can change; for instance, as the gums recede, the silver-colored metal can be exposed at the gum line. That leads to a dark, gray-colored line at the place where the crown and the gums meet. This process is avoided with all-porcelain crowns. These crowns look, feel, and function as they did when first placed as long as you care for them with consistent brushing and flossing. It’s also essential to keep up with regular check-ups at our office. Our professional cleanings remove stubborn plaque build-up, and our advanced diagnostics detect early oral problems that might otherwise go hidden until they progress and produce symptoms and irreversible damage. 

Crowns may even be used as a cosmetic solution; to cover up very dark discoloration that is not responsive to teeth bleaching methods or to disguise an irregularly shaped or worn tooth. 

Serving Lake Stevens, Arlington, Everett, Stanwood, Camano Island, and the surrounding region, Creo Dentistry looks forward to meeting you and your family. Contact us today at (360) 502-7217 to schedule your appointment at our Marysville office. 

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