This case was done using IPS Empress Ceramic Crowns in combination with Invisalign Orthodontic Treatment. In some Crown cases invisalign is a used to position the teeth prior to placing crowns. This is better for function, esthetics and longevity of both the crowns and natural teeth.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a restoration that is designed to restore all of the tooth structure above the root. A crown can provide the strength necessary to withstand the chewing forces and can return the tooth to its original shape and function. Most crowns are constructed of a metal substructure(gold or a mixture of other metals) and porcelain exterior provide the necessary esthetics.
Due to the improvement in the strength porcelain materials, and all porcelain crown could be made to provide great strength and esthetics. Due to the translucency of the materials making the final results truly great.
Who is a candidate for Dental Crowns?
A crown may be the recommended treatment for a tooth that has been weakened by decay, fracture or failure of an old restoration or just to improve existing esthetic or color of teeth. Many teeth with large fillings would be better protected and look aesthetically better pleasing when restored with crowns. Additionally all teeth that have had root canal treatment are susceptible to fracture and should all be crowned after root canal treatment.
The Procedure - Dental Crown
The materials used to make a crown vary. Strength, esthetics and price are taken in to consideration. We will recommend the best options for your particular case.
The strength of the new porcelain materials provides us with some great choices to achieve great aesthetic results without compromising longevity of the restoration.
Porcelain/Metal Crown - PFM
This type of crown is made of metal on the inside and covered in porcelain outside. The metal(gold or a mixture of metals) is not visible and is there to provide rigidity and support to the overlying porcelain. This type of crown is one of the best option for posterior teeth. It has been tested for many years and and has been proven to be very reliable. The porcelain metal crown is also know as a PFM Crown. The PFM crown can be used in anterior teeth were esthetics is not the greatest concern. This is because the metal substructure does not allow light to penetrate through like natural teeth. Usually this is not a concern but if it is then an all porcelain crown should be considered.
All Porcelain Crowns - All Ceramic Crown
This is the newest and most esthetic type of crowns. All-porcelain crowns are used primarily in anterior teeth and sometimes in posterior teeth. There are many types of all ceramic crowns. The porcelain crowns that Loukas General Dentistry uses and recommends will be discussed here.
IPS Empress - Da Vinci Porcelain
This is a great option for the anterior teeth for the patient who demands high esthetics. Empress crowns have the advantage of high light translucency so when placed over similarly colored teeth they are very beautiful and natural. The disadvantage of the Empress crown is that they cannot be used over severely stained of discolored teeth. Additionally they cannot be used with metal posts in them already because the color will show through.
Zirconia Crown
This type of crown is very esthetic and can be used over a severely discolored tooth. This is because it is made with a very strong inner layer which blocks the underlying tooth color and then had very beautiful porcelain layered on the outride. This type of crown can be used in the anterior or posterior teeth and is quite reliable.
Emax Cad CAM Crown
This type of crown is one of the newest technologies in all ceramic crowns. It is made by a computer which mills the crown from a solid block of porcelain or glass.
Type of Emax Crowns
Emax CAD
This crown is made of Lithium Disilicate Glass Ceramic. This is a fully computer designed crown. This crown has a strength 360 MPa.
Emax - Zir CAD
This crown is made of Zirconia Oxide. This crown has the strength of 900 MPa very strong and fracture resistant.
Emax - Ceram
This crown is made of Nano-Fluropatite. This crown has a computer designed core and a technician applied porcelain on the outside. This is very esthetic due to the technicians ability to add realistic properties to it.
All Metal Crowns
Solid Metal/Gold Crown
This is the oldest and most tested crown. It has an advantage of being a similar hardness to natural teeth and therefore preserves the tooth structure it bites against. Its disadvantage is that its color is not esthetic to some people. It can be made of gold or titanium. The price varys due to the changing prices of gold. Gold is a malleable metal and therefore can be pensively fit to the tooth.
