porcelain-crownsCrowns are often the chosen remedy for covering the entire tooth surface that is damaged by fractured fillings, broken teeth or extremely decayed teeth. Also known as a cap, crowns are intended to protect and strengthen the tooth’s structure in cases where fillings cannot handle the restoration. And, unlike fillings, crowns do not suffer from unsightly appearances and a limited life. Among the benefits of using crowns are the following:

  • Natural appearance: Crowns made of porcelain can match the size, shape and translucence of most teeth thereby making them a popular choice for natural looking smiles. Their stain-resistant luster make them a particularly good choice for front teeth. In nearly all cases, it is impossible to distinguish porcelain crowns from your natural teeth.
  • Exceptional durability: A crowns actually strengthens the tooth structure while preserving its functionality. They bond extremely well to the teeth thereby improving bite strength and preventing other teeth from shifting. And since they have a smooth surface, they have a long life span.

The most common materials used in the manufacture of crowns is porcelain because of its because of it natural tooth colored appearance. Within the family of products are all-porcelain crowns and porcelain fused to metal crowns. The latter has a metal base and porcelain cap that is often selected for its strength and resistance. Their main disadvantage is the dark line that is often seen around the bottom edge of the crown. All-porcelain dental crowns give an especially natural looking appearance (as compared to porcelain fused to metal crowns.)