Most people know what a dental crown is, or at least have a good idea. Even if they’ve never had one placed, crowns are common enough that nearly everyone knows someone who has had one placed. Still, not everyone knows how far the dental restorations have progressed over the years. Unlike older versions of dental crowns, today’s options are more durable and lifelike than ever before, thanks largely in part to the ceramic that many of them are made from. Learn more about ceramic dental crowns by reading below, and by asking your dentist during your next visit.
Why is ceramic a good choice?
Today’s dental crowns can be crafted from a wide variety of materials, from traditional metal to more lifelike options, like ceramic. The main benefit of ceramic (or porcelain) crowns is that they look amazingly like natural teeth, but they can also effectively withstand the pressures of your bite. Best of all, ceramic crowns can often be crafted and placed in just a single visit!
Can I really get a ceramic crown in just one day?
CEREC, which stands for Chairside Economic Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, is an innovative system that uses computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM). CEREC allows your dentist to examine, prepare, and digitally measure your tooth, then craft your ceramic crown using an onsite milling machine, all during a single visit. The machine creates a dental crown according to your tooth’s unique specifications so you won’t have to return for your crown after waiting weeks for a technician to make it.
Will a ceramic crown really look natural?
As we mentioned above, one of the greatest benefits of ceramic crowns is that they closely mimic your natural teeth. Not only can the ceramic be tinted to match your tooth’s unique color, the material is also semi-translucent – just like your healthy tooth enamel – so that it reflects light the way natural teeth do. Ceramic crowns are so lifelike that they are often used for purely cosmetic reasons to improve a blemished tooth’s appearance.
