Advantages & Disadvantages of Ceramic Crowns?
Ceramic crowns are a common treatment used to restore damaged teeth. The restoration is durable, attractive, and can restore the tooth’s function. There are many different materials which can be used for creating a crown. Because of their many benefits, ceramic crowns are one of the most popular solutions. Ceramic is incredibly durable and can be an excellent match for the natural teeth. A detailed summary of the advantages and disadvantages associated with ceramic crowns are below.
Advantages
One of the most significant benefits of ceramic crowns are their natural appearance which can closely mimic the color of the existing natural teeth. Due to their aesthetic appearance, ceramic crowns blend well with the surrounding teeth. Another benefit of ceramic restorations is that they are highly resistant to damage. Their durable qualities allow these crowns to last for many years. The excellent appearance and incredible strength of ceramic crowns make them a highly effective solution for many patients. Crowns are effective in protecting and preserving damaged teeth.
Disadvantages
Ceramic crowns are unfortunately more complex to create, which results in a longer fabrication timeline. Patients typically have two make two or more visits for a ceramic crown restoration. Another disadvantage of ceramic crowns is that they also have higher lab fees. This increases the overall treatment cost as well. For many patients, the excellent results associated with this type of restoration exceed any of the challenges.
Tooth Preparation
Ceramic crowns must also be thicker to help prevent damage to the crown or breakage. This unfortunately results in the need to remove a larger portion of the natural tooth prior to the placement of the crown. In the event a ceramic crown experiences a fracture, the repair is also quite challenging. A fracture may make it necessary for the patient to receive a new restoration. The dentist and lab will work together during the creation of the crown to minimize the risk of damage and avoid modifications prior to the placement.
Creation Process
The fabrication process is an additional advantage of ceramic crowns. The lab technicians receive specialized training as it is an art to create natural-looking restorations. It is often difficult to differentiate between ceramic crowns and the patient’s natural teeth.
Ceramic Crown Candidates
Many patients are an excellent candidate for a ceramic crown. In order for a patient to be a good candidate for a ceramic crown, they must have adequate distance between their teeth. Patients with misaligned teeth or those with an overbite can unintentionally place excessive pressure on the crown. As a result, these patients will not be good candidates for a ceramic crown restoration. In addition, patients who chronically grind their teeth or clench their jaw place an incredible amount of force on the teeth and often compromise the crown. In many cases, patients will use a night guard while they are sleeping to ensure their crown is protected.
Patients who are interested in a ceramic crown should call the office to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the restoration. They can effectively restore damaged teeth and provide patients with great results.