Cosmetic dentistry covers a lot of different procedures and one of the most common is the use of a crown. The most common crown is the porcelain crown although a more modern version is available called an all-porcelain crown. Crowns are used to fill in spaces caused by missing teeth.

The difference between the two may sound slight, but there is a big difference. Traditional crowns use a metal framework. The latest style of bridge does away with the metal framework – this means the crown is made entirely of porcelain. As with all new technologies, there are pluses and minuses.

Some of the benefits include a more natural look. Normal crowns can sometimes show a thin metallic line at the base of the tooth. One of the down sides is that these teeth may not be as strong as normal crowns.

There is a win win situation here however. All-porcelain crowns are well suited to the front teeth. These teeth generally receive less bite pressure than the back teeth. The teeth that do need to withstand strong bite pressures can be made in the normal way. Using the right crown for the right job will help them to last many years longer.

The procedure for fitting crowns is quite involved. You require at least two solid teeth, one either side of the gap to be filled by a crown. These teeth are prepared, often by shaving them a little to reduce their size. Porcelain crowns do not just cover the missing tooth, they also cover these side teeth.

Once the crown has been made, it is fitted to the mouth with the partial tooth being fixed to the original tooth, either side of the gap. This is a permanent fixture and cannot be removed and inserted at will by the wearer. They are however a perfect piece of cosmetic dentistry to cover gaps that appear between teeth. Ask your dentist on how to maintain a healthy smile using crowns.

Tags: all-porceilain crowns, Crowns, porcelain crowns