Porcelain Crowns: Restoring Strength and Aesthetics

Posted by Diane Smith on January 20th, 2024

Porcelain crowns cap or "cover" damaged teeth to restore their strength and appearance. Crafted with today's high-tech porcelains, they are nearly indistinguishable from natural teeth.

This patient had 2 unattractive porcelain-to-metal veneers that were discolored, misshaped, and had chips. After 8 porcelain EMAX crowns were placed she had a healthier, aesthetically improved smile and comfortable bite.

Crowns

Porcelain crowns and bridges Chicago IL are tooth-colored restorations that cover a damaged or weakened tooth. They strengthen the tooth and help patients eat, speak and smile normally again. They are often used to repair teeth that have cracked, chipped or undergone root canals.

They can also be leveraged to support a bridge or replace missing teeth. When crafted from today’s high-tech porcelains, crowns are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.

The first visit includes a comprehensive exam and bite impression. The dentist numbs the area and prepares the tooth by shaping it and making a crown. He or she tries on the crown to ensure it fits correctly and looks good, then cements it in place with dental cement.

For dental bridges, the dentist prepares healthy teeth on both sides of the gap; these are called abutment teeth. The abutment teeth become supports for the artificial tooth placed in between them; the artificial tooth is called a pontic. Depending on the location of the missing tooth, more than one bridge may be needed.

Bridges

Porcelain crowns and bridges Chicago IL are custom prosthetics that encase and rehabilitate damaged or weakened teeth, increasing strength, function and restoring their appearance. Depending on the material, these restorations can be constructed from durable metals like zirconium, porcelain fused over metal, or all porcelain. Porcelain crowns and bridges look the most natural and blend in seamlessly with existing teeth. As a result, they are often used to repair severely decayed teeth, cracked or broken teeth, or to cover dental implants.

A bridge is used to replace missing teeth by anchoring to the existing biological teeth on either end (called abutments). The middle part of the bridge consists of an artificial tooth, called a pontic, that fills in the empty space. Porcelain bridges are the most aesthetic type of these dental restorations, and our team will make sure that the new tooth matches perfectly with the surrounding teeth. They are also highly effective for closing gaps and reducing stress on the teeth in the area.

Inlays &Onlays

If your teeth have been damaged due to disease or accidents, Porcelain crowns and bridges Chicago IL and bridges can restore their appearance and function. They are strong and durable, allowing you to eat and speak comfortably. They can also improve your smile’s aesthetics and confidence.

Porcelain inlays and onlays are similar to composite resin fillings, but they are much stronger. They are also fabricated from porcelain, which is color-matched to your tooth’s shade and looks like natural enamel.

Porcelain bridges fill in the gaps caused by missing teeth, and they can be supported by natural teeth on either side of the gap or by artificial teeth (pontics). Traditional porcelain fixed bridges consist of a crown at each end and one or two false teeth in the middle. This type of bridge is usually used to replace front teeth. Other types of bridges include Maryland bridges and cantilever bridges.

Fillings

Dental crowns are custom tooth-shaped caps that encase a damaged or weakened tooth to restore strength, shape, and function. They are often used as the finishing touch to other treatments, such as root canal therapy or tooth replacement with dental implants.

Porcelain crowns and bridges Chicago IL fabricated from porcelain closely mirror the aesthetics of natural teeth and provide the strongest restoration, lasting up to 15 years or more with proper care. Resin and ceramic crowns are also available, but they don’t have the durability of porcelain. They may require more frequent repair, and are prone to staining.