Dental crowns can be made of many different dental materials. They serve a surprisingly wide range of purposes within the scope of restorative dentistry. They can cap a dental implant, provide structural support after a root canal, and restore the function of a cracked or broken tooth. While many of us still imagine a bright gold tooth when we think of dental crowns, advances in dental technology over the past few decades have yielded a wide range of materials that offer the strength, durability, and realistic esthetics demanded by today’s dental patients. Dr. James Fondriest, your Chicago Cosmetic Dentist, discusses some of the more popular crown materials patients have to choose from and briefly looks at the highly trained technicians who create dental crowns.
Do you worry that you may soon need restorative dentistry? More specifically, are you concerned that dental restorations must always be made of metal? For many years, patients that required dental work had no choice but to settle for smiles that were marred by obvious and sometimes uncomfortable metal restorations. Fortunately, that is no longer the case. Modern dental crowns can be made from a variety of materials, many of which share one common trait – they are designed to look natural and feel comfortable, so that patients can continue smiling confidently even after their restorative dental work has been completed.
What Are the Modern Alternatives to Metal Crowns?
Emax porcelain is the most popular ceramic crown material for esthetics. This is because of it’s cosmetic benefits and also its durability. Many people don’t’ realize just how durable dental-grade porcelain is, much less that it has stain resistant properties. This is why many patients that opt for porcelain crowns are able to enjoy their restorations for more than ten years, with proper dental care.
Of course, porcelain crowns are also great options because they can be customized to look nearly seamless within a patient’s smile. They also conduct less heat than their metal counterparts, which proves more comfortable for many patients, particularly during meals.
Do You Need a Seamless Smile Restoration?
If you are exhibiting warning signs of a dental problem, such as heightened sensitivity, discoloration or even pain, it’s best to speak with your dentist promptly about how restorative treatment could restore and protect your oral health. Prompt treatment with modern dental crowns can prevent the issue form worsening. Plus, with seamless smile solutions available, there is no reason to fear cosmetic treatment.
Would you like to upgrade to modern crown materials?
Restorative dentistry makes it possible to save fragile and damaged teeth, in most cases.
Popular Dental Crown Materials
Dr. Fondriest, a recognized regional cosmetic expert in the Chicago area on crowns and other dental restorations, prefers to use different variations of dental porcelain. In general, all porcelain crowns blend in with the rest of your natural teeth and offer surprising strength and durability. A few of the preferred types of porcelain crown materials include:
- E Max. This brand of dental porcelain comes in several varieties but they all share incredibly realistic translucence (like natural tooth enamel) and high strength. E Max can be used to fabricate crowns, veneers, and other restorations. One of their best properties, says Dr. Fondriest, is that E Max crowns wear and age like real tooth enamel, meaning you have a more natural looking smile even after many years.
- Empress. These lovely permanent crowns have two layers, a strong porcelain interior and a glassy exterior that lends these crowns a high level of strength and beauty. This material is mainly used for front teeth.
- Zirconia and Procera. These types of crown is exceptionally strong. While zirconia can be color matched to your natural enamel, it does not feature the translucence of E Max and Empress and is a better choice for the back teeth. People who grind their teeth at night shouldn’t receive zirconia crowns and bridges because their hardness can damage the opposing teeth.
- Gold: Since the days of the ancient Etruscans nearly 2000 years ago, gold has been the material of choice for dental crowns. Gold is bio-compatible and offers durability, they’re non-abrasive to the opposing tooth, and their malleability makes for a more precise fit. Unfortunately, because gold stands out from the rest of your teeth, other more natural materials have become more popular. Gold crowns are used primarily on second molars. The last tooth in the back takes the highest bite load. Gold will not break.
- Base metal alloys: Non precious alloys are used by the lower half of the dental market. They are used as an inexpensive substitute for gold. They are not biocompatible.
Learn About the Most Beautiful Dental Crown Materials
To schedule a consultation with Dr. James Fondriest at his Lake Forst dentist office, contact us at (847) 234-0517. A 60045 dentist, Dr. Fondriest is a recognized expert in cosmetic and restorative dentistry.
Our practice serves the Chicago metropolitan area including the North Shore and Northwest suburbs