Dental crowns are customized caps placed on top of the remaining natural tooth. A patient might need a crown to fix a chipped tooth, to prevent grinding due to stress or misalignment, to fix a cavity, protect a dental implant, and more. They are made of a variety of materials such as ceramic, porcelain, porcelain and metal, gold, and zirconia.
Advantages of a Ceramic Crown
Ceramic crowns offer great durability. Like all crowns, they are made to protect your tooth if it is stained, cracked, chipped, or damaged in general. Ceramic crowns are highly resistant to wear and tear. Due to their smooth and polished surface, they are also able to resist common stains from food and drinks like coffee and red wine.
Ceramic crowns have a great and natural appearance. They are known for their ability to be color-matched almost perfectly to the existing teeth. Because of this, they are a great choice if you need a crown in the front of your mouth that is visible when you smile, talk, or open your mouth. Unlike metal crowns, ceramic crowns do not darken over time; they remain their natural color for years if cared for properly.
Ceramic crowns often cost less than other crowns, such as porcelain. Ceramic crowns can range anywhere between $600 and $1,500, and the cost will depend on the size, exact material, and procedure.
How do you care for a ceramic crown?
Caring for your ceramic crown is essential for it to last and perform to its full potential.
See below for some helpful tips:
- Floss all of your teeth daily. Make sure to gently floss between each tooth while curving the floss into a ‘C’ shape around the crown, while rubbing up and down to get below the gumline.
- Be very gentle with your teeth and gums when brushing.
- Avoid hard foods like hard nuts, candy, or ice.
- Do not grind your teeth. If you do so at night, talk to your dentist about a night guard.
What are the main disadvantages of a ceramic crown?
Ceramic crowns are known to have a complex fabrication process in order to mimic the shape and color of surrounding teeth. It is common that the patient will need to visit the office at least twice to complete the treatment. Another common disadvantage is the installation process. Ceramic crowns have to be thicker than other crown materials to prevent them from breaking or cracking. Because of this, the dentist may have to remove more of the natural tooth to accommodate the crown. On top of that, if the crown does crack, the ceramic tooth is a bit more difficult to repair.
Ceramic crowns are one of the most popular choices for patients looking for aesthetics and durability. Please do not hesitate to contact us today if you have any further questions on ceramic crowns or any crowns in general, and if they might be the right solution for you.
Related Article: Do Ceramic Crowns Turn Yellow?