or in danger of breaking because of a large area of existing fillings or widespread tooth decay. They are more than just attractive. Crowns provide strong protection for your teeth. Some crowns are made of strong, durable porcelain, tinted to match the color of the teeth around it; other crowns are porcelain-fused-to-metal. Orange County Dentist Dr. Tammy Tran is trained to place porcelain and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.
How Are Crowns Made
This image shows how the tooth has been shaped and how the crown will be placed. Thanks to advanced bonding technology, today’s crowns can be made of pure porcelain. Not very many years ago, porcelain had to be fused to metal to be used for crowns, and that was fine for many uses, especially for molars where they are still used because they are stronger. But porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns developed black lines at the gum line that were unsightly for front teeth. Getting a crown is easy thanks to modern techniques. During your initial visit and examination, you and Dr. Tran will discuss what you can expect from a crown and, depending on where in your mouth the crown is needed, whether it will be porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal. Then Dr. Tran will shape your tooth, a step that will allow for perfect placement of the crown.The next step during the same visit will be to take an impression of the tooth, and choose a shade for the crown that will match surrounding teeth. That impression and the specifications of the color chosen will be sent to a master ceramist at her dental lab for custom creation of your permanent crown. That will take a few days. In the meantime, Dr. Tran will fit you with a temporary crown to be used until you return for your second appointment.That's when your permanent crown will be placed in your mouth and the procedure completed. It’s that simple.
Why Chose One Type of Crown Over Another
As mentioned above, there are cosmetic as well as sound dental reasons behind which type of crown is appropriate – porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal and you should be informed about them before any procedure.
- Like natural enamel, all-porcelain crowns are translucent. When porcelain is baked onto metal, it requires an opaquer layer that detracts from the natural beauty.
- Invariably, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns develop a dark line at the gumline that dentists will try to hide under the gum. They are not always successful. All-porcelain crowns have a seamless bonded margin that is invisible, so there is no black line.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are strong enough to hold up on molar teeth. All-porcelain crowns ordinarily aren't quite as strong, but are strong enough for use on front teeth.
- All-porcelain crowns require advanced bonding technology that many dentists are unfamiliar with. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns can be cemented with basic techniques that are taught in dental schools.
To make an appointment with Dr. Tran, call her office at (714)-979-3710 or visit her Make an Appointment Fountain Valley Dental Crowns page.
