Benefits of All Porcelain Crowns
A dental crown is designed to protect and support a tooth that’s been cracked, fractured, or broken, or that has had some of its structure removed to treat a cavity. Often referred to as a cap, a dental crown is a replica of your healthy natural tooth, and it is one of the most diverse restorative dentistry services available today. Though crowns are meant to restore and protect teeth, porcelain crowns from your Albuquerque dentist, Dr. Timothy M. Kelly, can also improve your smile’s appearance in the process.
The Purpose of a Dental Crown
Modern dental crowns are necessary because teeth can’t repair themselves. When a tooth’s structure is damaged, it becomes weak, and possibly vulnerable to infection. Shaped to mimic the tooth’s size and appearance, a dental crown can be placed over the tooth to reduce the risk of further injury from your bite’s pressure. For cosmetic purposes, most modern crowns are fashioned to blend in with the natural teeth around them, and aesthetically, dental porcelain is one of the most lifelike restorative dental materials.
The Benefits of Porcelain Dental Crowns
Improved Tooth Function
When your tooth hurts because it’s injured or infected, simple tasks such as biting and chewing can become excruciating. If your tooth’s edge or chewing surface is broken or worn down, it might not meet its opposite tooth properly and can disturb your bite’s balance. Placing a custom-made porcelain crown over the tooth can restore the damage to relieve discomfort, as well as reestablish your properly-balanced bite.
Prevent Tooth Extraction
When left untreated, a crack or fracture can worsen until the tooth is broken into two or more pieces. After a tooth has been treated for a cavity with a dental filling or root canal therapy, it can also be left significantly weaker. By covering the tooth, a porcelain dental crown can absorb the pressure when you bite and chew, preserving the natural tooth structure that remains to avoid having to extract it.
Restore Your Smile’s Beauty
Dental crowns can be crafted from a variety of materials, including metal, though Dr. Kelly typically uses all-porcelain crowns for their beauty and durability. Made in a trusted lab, dental porcelain is semi-translucent; besides matching your natural teeth’s color, it can also mimic the way healthy tooth enamel reflect light. Each crown is fashioned according to specific measurements that Dr. Kelly will make and send to the lab, ensuring a natural look and fit for your restoration.
Biocompatible With Your Other Teeth
Though metal is durable and can adequately withstand your bite’s pressure, it can also be rough, and may generate excessive friction against the opposite tooth. By contrast, all-porcelain crowns are smoother and friendlier to the tooth’s opposite, reducing wear and tear on your remaining healthy teeth.
Find Out if a Dental Crown Is Right for You
To learn more about the benefits of porcelain crowns, and whether or not one can improve your smile’s beauty and function, contact our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Timothy M. Kelly.
