At Rainier Ave Dental in Seattle, WA, our skilled dental team specializes in porcelain crowns—a restorative dentistry treatment with cosmetic benefits. Our tailored dental crowns not only enhance the strength of your teeth but also contribute to a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
What is a Porcelain Crowns?
A porcelain crown serves as a protective covering for a tooth, encasing its entire surface to restore its original form and size. It provides strength and safeguarding for tooth structures that cannot be effectively restored using fillings or alternative dental procedures.
Among the array of available crowns, porcelain crowns, also known as tooth-colored crowns, stand out as the preferred choice due to their close resemblance to natural teeth. Renowned for their durability, porcelain crowns offer longevity, ensuring many years of reliable use. However, similar to other dental restorations, there may come a time when crown replacement is necessary.
Crafted to seamlessly match the shape, size, and hue of your existing teeth, porcelain crowns deliver a natural and aesthetically pleasing smile that endures over time. With their blend of durability and cosmetic appeal, porcelain crowns remain a popular option for patients seeking both functionality and beauty in their dental restorations.
Benefits of Porcelain Crowns
- Enhanced Strength and Durability: Porcelain crowns act like a protective cap, reinforcing weakened teeth and shielding them from fractures, cracks, and general wear and tear. This increased resilience extends the lifespan of the compromised tooth and allows it to function normally.
- Protection Against Further Damage: A porcelain crown acts as a barrier, completely encasing the underlying tooth structure and preventing harmful bacteria from infiltrating the tooth and causing decay. This safeguards the tooth’s health and prevents the need for further dental procedures.
- Restored Functionality and Appearance: Porcelain crowns can be customized to replicate the original size, shape, and color of the damaged tooth. This restores the tooth’s natural look and allows it to function properly when biting and chewing.
- Natural-Looking Beauty: High-quality porcelain material closely mimics the translucence and color of natural tooth enamel. This ensures a seamless and aesthetically pleasing restoration blending in perfectly with your surrounding teeth.
- Long-lasting Aesthetics: Porcelain crowns are resistant to staining from coffee, tea, and other pigmented foods and drinks. This helps maintain the crown’s natural-looking appearance for many years with proper care.
Am I a Candidate for Porcelain Crown?
You may be the right candidate for porcelain crowns if you’re facing any of the following:
- Large Tooth Decay: When a cavity extends deep into the tooth and compromises its structural integrity, a crown becomes the optimal solution to restore both form and function effectively.
- Stubborn Stains: Some teeth resist traditional whitening methods, leaving them discolored and detracting from your smile’s brightness. With a custom-made, stain-resistant crown, you can conceal these imperfections seamlessly.
- Root Canal Recovery: Following a root canal procedure to alleviate severe tooth infection and pain, a crown serves as a protective shield, preserving the tooth’s integrity and strength while ensuring long-term oral health.
- Reshaping Imperfections: For teeth that stand out due to their shape or size, a precisely crafted crown can harmonize your smile by blending seamlessly with the natural contours and color of your other teeth.
- Reinforcing Weakness: Factors such as aging or enamel erosion can leave teeth vulnerable to damage and decay. By encasing a weakened tooth with a durable crown, you can fortify it against potential fractures and deterioration.
- Preventing Further Damage: Whether from an accidental injury or gradual wear, a fractured tooth demands prompt attention to prevent complications like decay or infection. By capping the damaged tooth with a sturdy crown, you safeguard it from further harm and maintain your oral health for the long term.
What to Expect During Porcelain Crown Procedure?
A porcelain crown is meticulously crafted to encapsulate the entire tooth, seamlessly blending into your smile by resting precisely on the visible portion of your natural tooth. Positioned delicately at the gum line, this restoration is tailored to provide a remarkably natural appearance.
When undergoing the porcelain crown procedure at Rainier Ave Dental, you can anticipate a process typically spanning two visits. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
- Examination: Your dentist will conduct a comprehensive review of your oral health, potentially including X-rays to assess the suitability of a crown for your needs. Fortunately, many individuals qualify for this restoration without complications.
- Preparation: The tooth designated for the crown procedure will be prepared accordingly, with any decay or infection addressed beforehand, if necessary. Following treatment, an impression will be taken to facilitate the creation of a custom-designed crown by the dental lab.
- Waiting: Depending on the extent of work required and your mouth’s healing process, there may be a period of waiting. Additionally, it typically takes dental laboratories approximately two weeks to fabricate the restoration. During this interim period, your dentist may provide a temporary crown for your comfort and protection.
- Bonding: Upon completion of the restoration, you’ll return to your dentist for the final stage. The fit and appearance of the crown will be meticulously assessed before it is permanently bonded in place. Any necessary adjustments will be made to ensure optimal comfort and functionality.
How Much Do Porcelain Crowns Cost?
The cost of porcelain crowns varies across the nation, typically falling between $1,000 and $2,000. However, the total expense is subject to individual variations due to the personalized nature of the procedure and each patient’s specific requirements. Factors such as the type and quantity of crowns required, the complexity of treatment, and additional components are assessed to establish the final cost.
Financing Options for Porcelain Crowns
At Rainier Ave Dental, we accept a variety of insurance plans and offer flexible payment methods for your convenience. Qualified applicants can take advantage of third-party financing options, spreading the cost of dental crown procedures across manageable installments. Feel free to discuss payment options with us, and we’ll gladly address any inquiries you may have.
How Long Does Porcelain Crowns Last?
With adequate care and maintenance, the porcelain crowns have the potential to endure for decades. The dental porcelain employed in their fabrication is robust and resistant to staining, making regular oral hygiene practices and biannual professional cleanings typically ample for preserving their integrity. Should you detect any issues with your crown(s), we recommend promptly contacting your dentist for an assessment and appropriate action.
Porcelain Crowns from Rainier Ave Dental in Seattle, WA
Don’t ignore nagging tooth trouble! Book a quick dental checkup with the experienced dental team at Rainier Ave Dental now and prevent a bigger issue down the road. Our team of dental experts will assess your needs and decide if a dental crown is the best choice. Furthermore, we can help you choose the right content for your requirements.
FAQs
Is porcelain the best for crowns?
Porcelain is frequently regarded as the top choice for dental crown material due to its superior aesthetics and durability. Nevertheless, it does come at a higher cost.
How often do porcelain crowns need to be replaced?
Typically, a properly fitted and positioned porcelain crown can endure for approximately 15 years before necessitating replacement. Ultimately, the caliber of the initial fitting of the dental crown can markedly impact its anticipated lifespan.
Do porcelain crowns turn yellow?
Porcelain crowns may undergo discoloration, often turning yellow, owing to various factors. One primary reason could be the utilization of non-authentic porcelain in the crowns. Genuine porcelain crowns, when intact, maintain their pristine appearance without staining or yellowing. Additionally, damage inflicted upon the glaze of the crowns can lead to discoloration. When the protective glaze is compromised, the crowns become susceptible to staining and may gradually exhibit a yellowish hue.