What makes an all-ceramic crown so special?
All-ceramic crowns for restoring teeth have justifiably become popular in recent years. Patients love the all-ceramic crowns particularly for their excellent aesthetic properties. In addition, the material lends itself really well to dental use.
WHEN IS AN ALL-CERAMIC CROWN THE BEST CHOICE?
Badly damaged teeth are restored with tooth crowns. This type of denture comes close to the looking like natural teeth. Where high aesthetic results are required (for example in the anterior region), all-ceramic as the material of choice provides excellent results. The tooth-coloured crown completely encases the tooth stump that has been ground down making it look almost identical to a natural tooth.
HOW IS THE CROWN MADE?
Based on the individual patient preferences, the dental technician manufactures the all-ceramic crown with great craftsmanship and expertise. Under certain circumstances, an all-ceramic crown can be manufactured directly in the dental practice with so-called chairside systems. CAD / CAM technology is being used more and more, for instance when the framework is made of zirconia.
The finishing of the crown and its adaptation to the neighbouring teeth is usually done manually. The dental technician or the dentist designs the colour, surface structure and other characteristics of the crown so that it resembles a beautiful, healthy tooth.
ADVANTAGES OF ALL-CERAMIC CROWNS?
In addition to the good aesthetic properties, all-ceramics have high biocompatibility and a perfect fit is ensured. In addition, no metal is necessary to attach the all-ceramic crown, making it ideal for people who are intolerant to having metal in their mouths. All-ceramic crowns are also very compatible with the soft tissue of the gums. Its strength is also an advantage, as is the ease with which it can be attached in the mouth. This makes it possible to design thin-walled crowns, which helps to maintain healthy tooth structure.
TYPES OF ALL-CERAMIC CROWNS?
Basically, there are different all-ceramic materials and manufacturing variants. As a rule, the dental technician uses silicate ceramic, feldspar ceramic or zirconium oxide ceramic. Depending on what is the best choice for the specific application and the patient’s preferences, the dentist selects the material and the manufacturing technology in consultation with the dental technician. This ensures that the individually veneered crown is of the highest quality.
Thereafter the dental technician constructs an all-ceramic framework and builds up the tooth by hand by layering the ceramic materials. It is cured in a special oven to give the crown the required properties so that it perfectly resembles a natural tooth in shape and colour.
An alternative to this can be a so-called full contour crown. This is monolithic, in other words it is made from one piece, and CAD/CAM or press technology is used in its production. The dental technician or dentist uses a special stain to individualise the monolithic all-ceramic crown so it perfectly matches the patient’s other teeth.
DOES THE ALL-CERAMIC CROWN CHANGE COLOUR OVER TIME?
No, it does not. Good dentists and dental technicians only work with high-quality materials that have little tendency to discolour. With good oral care at home, the homogeneity of the material should ensure that plaque is less likely to be deposited on the crown. Ideally, the all-ceramic crown should last the patient for the rest of his or her lifetime!
