What a world of dental innovation we have entered!
A few years ago, getting a dental crown was itself a big deal, forget about the patient choosing between the crown varieties. And now, we speak about various crown options, depending upon material, looks, strength, and price, to select the best option that suits us.
So, let’s talk about the biggest confusion that persists between the patients: All about ceramic crowns.
Many people get confused about the science behind a ceramic crown: is it porcelain? Is it Zirconia, or is it anything else?
If you are also among those people, then you have arrived at a perfect destination to get all your queries resolved
Introduction to Ceramic Crowns
All ceramic crowns are solid, tooth colored, strong, and wear-resistant restorations or prostheses that are designed to protect the severely damaged, broken and weakened teeth, just like any other crown.
Before ceramic crowns were introduced, metal crowns and PFMs were very popular, but with the continuous growth in the dental world and the acknowledgement of certified and improved materials along with cutting-edge manufacturing technology, all-ceramic crowns have become the gold standard in prosthodontics.
A ceramic crown is a metal-free crown. Their biggest advantage is that they can be designed and made in the exact shade of the natural teeth, so that there is no artificial chunk in the mouth. Plus, they exhibit superior qualities like glazed surface, stain-free shine, and stronger structures. They have a longer shelf life than other dental restorations and are mainly used for getting that “celebrity smile”.
Ceramic crowns are highly customizable and are designed according to the patient’s wishes and other teeth to match the appearance.
Once you know what ceramic crowns are, let’s discuss their types and other aspects.
Ceramic crowns; Indications
All-ceramic crowns are very commonly used in dental practices nowadays. They have just become the go-to choices for all.
Since they are highly personalized, fit well, give a desirable appearance, patients who are very concerned about their looks ask for ceramic crowns only.
The cases where ceramic crowns can be used are:
- Treated teeth
- Discolored teeth
- In full mouth rehabilitation or smile makeover
- For closing midline gaps
- For broken, chipped and fractured teeth
- For replacing missing teeth, either as a bridge or an implant.
Types of Ceramic Crowns
Though ceramic crowns are metal-free, tooth colored and better than the crowns that have metal, they are not all the same. Ceramic crowns differ from one another also in composition and qualities.
Let’s explore the different types of ceramic crowns and see how they can be used as per patients’ needs.
Lithium Disilicate Crowns
- These are glass-ceramic crowns made of lithium disilicate material
- They are tooth colored and are ideal for both front and back teeth.
- These crowns have excellent shade matching and high translucency, which makes them look just like natural teeth.
- These crowns are digitally made with technologies like CAD-CAM.
- However, they are used more widely as single crowns rather than long bridges.
Zirconia Crowns
- A type of advanced ceramic crown, made with Zirconium dioxide and stabilized with yttrium oxide.
- They are extremely strong and fracture resistant.
- They are fabricated either with a solid block of Zirconia for molars or with layered Zirconia for front teeth to provide a desirable appearance and shade gradient.
- Zirconia crowns have lately become the top choice for dentists as well as patients due to their wide variety, properties, and price range.
Pressable Ceramic Crowns
- Made by pressing ceramic materials under heat and pressure.
- Stronger than conventional ceramic crowns and are reinforced by Leucite crystal
- Often used for long-lasting restorations.
- These are also more often used as a single crown.
Although each of the crowns mentioned will do its job, it’s important to choose the right one as per the case need. For example, for teeth that are a little dark, less see-through all-ceramic crowns should be chosen for a better appearance. Similarly, in patients with habits of clenching or grinding their teeth, it’s mandatory to select crowns that can handle those extra forces.
Benefits of Ceramic crowns over metal crowns
Ceramic crowns are better than metal crowns in many ways, and that’s the reason they have replaced the metal ones slowly and gradually.
But the most important and prominent benefits of ceramic crowns over the metal or porcelain fused to metal crowns are as follows:
Aesthetics
Ceramic crowns mimic the colour, translucency, and texture of natural teeth. Because they are metal-free, they do not cause a grey line at the gum margin.
Biocompatibility
Ceramic is a metal-free, non-toxic, and safe material. It does not harm or irritate the other soft tissues of the mouth, like gums and cheeks. They do not pose any risk of metal toxicity as well.
Strength with Beauty
Modern ceramics, especially zirconia and lithium disilicate, offer much more strength than metal, so now, patients do not have to compromise on anything.
Durability
Ceramic crowns can last for years if they are maintained nicely with proper oral hygiene. They are known to resist stains, cracks, and color change over time, unlike PFMs, where the porcelain layer may wear off and metal gets exposed.
Comfort and Fit
Ceramic crowns are made using advanced computerised digital scanning and milling technologies. This ensures a precise fit, reducing the chances of discomfort or bite issues.
Faster Delivery
Because ceramic crowns are made digitally, with minimal human interference, they are made faster and need no adjustments. Thus, patients have minimal dental clinic visits.
In a nutshell
A crown is more than protection; it’s a blend of safety, strength, and appearance of one of the most important parts of the body: the tooth!
As it is said, the oral cavity is the reflection of a person; it is essential to choose the right crown option that fulfils the needs.
When it comes to protecting your teeth and restoring confidence, ceramic crowns are one of the best choices in modern dentistry.
Though your dentist is the most suitable person to advise you on the best ceramic crown, some companies like Illusion Dental Laboratory provide excellent crowns like Illusion Zirconia, which also provide a lifetime warranty with the crowns, and they are just worth choosing.
