Why Porcelain/All-Ceramic Crowns are Better

For many years, full porcelain restorations have been considered the most lifelike and natural looking restorations available. They are extremely beautiful and the best choice for the ultimate cosmetic result. Porcelain also does not conduct heat and cold very efficiently, so sensitivity to hot and cold foods during the initial placement period is often reduced. However, in the past, full porcelain crowns were not always always the best choice for every tooth in the mouth. Here’s why:

Porcelain has the unique combination of being both strong and weak at the same time, much like an eggshell. Porcelain is harder than tooth enamel, so it can be damaging to the opposing natural teeth especially in patients who clench and grind habitually. Porcelain could also be brittle and fracture easily when it is too thin or it is habitually flexed through the forces imposed by clenching and grinding.

What Has Changed?

The introduction of new materials such as IPS e.max has increased the popularity of restorations. Now they are stronger, more reliable and more aesthetically-pleasing than ever before without the drawbacks. IPS e.max is a versatile, metal-free, high-strength material made from biocompatible lithium disilicate ceramic/porcelain glass.  It offers superior aesthetics, providing excellent restorations that help increase patient satisfaction.  This material is suitable for fabricating single-unit crowns of many varieties: inlays and onlays, veneers, and screw-retained implant crowns.  It may also be used to construct three-unit anterior bridges and for cases with minimum preparation dimensions.  Other advantages for this material include a precision-fit and nearly-perfect contact between adjacent and opposite teeth.  This solves the problem of wear to adjacent teeth.  

BENEFITS OF ALL-CERAMIC OR PORCELAIN CROWNS

• Produces the most beautiful and lifelike cosmetic result.
• These crowns provide a better natural color match than any other crown type.
• Does not conduct heat or cold well, reducing temperature sensitivity
• These crowns are more suitable for people with metal allergies.
• There is no grey line at the base of the tooth as there can be with porcelain-fused to metal crowns.

Cerec For One-Day Porcelain Crowns

Once upon a time, a dental crown took two appointments, and the patient had to wait several weeks before having his/her final restoration crown placed.  In the past, our office sent crowns to an offsite dental laboratory.  Today our office offers one-day Dental Crowns.  Our Cerec Primescan digital scanner and milling unit has changed everything about how Lowcountry Family Dentistry now performs crowns for patients.  Using our Cerec system, our dentist in Beaufort SC can provide same-day porcelain crowns that are simply more beautiful and long lasting than offsite labs can provide.  Patients just love the aesthetics of the Cerec All-Porcelain restorations and we love the durability.

Looking for a Near Me?

At Lowcountry Family Dentistry we help our patients restore their optimal oral health through patient education and high quality, modern dentistry. We invite new and returning patients to experience the difference of our consultative approach to your oral health. Our Beaufort SC dentist office is equipped with state of the art dental technology and offers a comfortable, welcoming environment for you to enjoy.  To schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Covington or Dr. DuRant call our office at (843) 986-0177 or use our online form.