The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to make the teeth look as healthy and natural as possible, often through aesthetically-pleasing versions of traditional restorative treatments. However, when trying to use crowns or other restorations for cosmetic purposes, the beauty of the prosthetic has to be balanced out with its functionality. If you are looking for a dental crown that will boost your smile’s appearance, you have a few potential options depending on your specific oral health needs.
Porcelain Fused to Metal
This crown is made of an outer ceramic shell layered over a metallic base. This shell is usually porcelain, but it can instead be made of zirconia. Similarly, the base is typically made of either a silver-colored mixture of metals or a gold alloy.
This crown is often considered the least aesthetic of a patient’s cosmetic crown options because of its metal components. The point where the bottom of the crown meets the gums is called the margin, and the base is often visible at this spot. The sight of this artificial element reduces the natural appearance of the porcelain and limits the positive impact the crown could have had.
On the other hand, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are often much more durable than purely porcelain crowns and even zirconia crowns. This allows patients with jaw clenching and other conditions affecting the teeth to still receive some cosmetic benefit while wearing an effective crown.
Zirconia
Zirconia is a crystalline ceramic with a white, slightly translucent appearance. A zirconia crown is used when porcelain is too fragile but metal is not completely necessary. In most circumstances, this material will be as effective as metal while still blending into the smile.
However, there are circumstances where this is not the preferred option. Zirconia’s crystalline structure makes it vulnerable to cracking if force is applied to it at an angle instead of straight down. If teeth grinding is present in a smile, a porcelain-fused-to-metal or purely metal crown would have to be used instead. Alternatively, if the durability of the restoration is not at risk, porcelain is often preferred because it is more natural in appearance than zirconia is.
Porcelain
Dental porcelain is a body safe ceramic material that most dentists use for cosmetic crowns. A crown made entirely of porcelain is usually indistinguishable from a natural tooth, and the material is durable enough to last, provided the patient does not have additional health problems. However, if clenching or grinding are present in the smile, the crystal-like structure of a ceramic crown will not stand up to the additional pressure.
Contact Us for Cosmetic Dentistry
Y. Danielle Marquis provides cosmetic crowns in San Francisco. For more information about how we make your smile both healthy and beautiful, call our practice and schedule an appointment today.