The technologies of modern dentistry have long been able to provide the population with decent quality services. The aesthetics of a smile are very much appreciated. That is why people strive, using prosthetics, to solve several problems at once. We are talking about restoring the lost functions of the chewing apparatus and improving the appearance of the dentition. A porcelain crown is rightfully considered not a simple prosthesis, but a work of art. It will be discussed in our article.
What it is?
Porcelain crown - a design made using special technology. These prostheses are considered an innovation in domestic dentistry. They are made of special porcelain. The material does not contain even the smallest impurities of metals. The product most accurately recreates a lost tooth. The design has good light transmission. Most often, crowns look more attractive than "native" teeth.
Life time
The design has an average service life, which ranges from 10-15 years. The use of the latest technology in the manufacture of crowns allows you to make them not only beautiful, but also durable. However, the patient’s habits can affect the product’s durability, for example, if a person loves solid foods or clenches his teeth very much. This can lead to premature defects in the form of cracks. Therefore, the user must comply with all the recommendations of the doctor, if he has a crown (porcelain) on the tooth. It is also advisable to refuse the use of too hard food (crackers, nuts) or limit its use. In this case, the design will serve its owner much longer than the specified period.
Porcelain crowns: indications and contraindications
Any orthodontic design has its own characteristics. In accordance with this, the specialist individually expresses his opinion to the patient. At the consultation we are talking about indications and contraindications for the installation of a ceramic prosthesis. We will talk about this in this subsection.
Here is a list of factors that give the doctor a reason to recommend the design in question to the patient:
1. Covering the anterior teeth. The material allows you to accurately reproduce the natural color of enamel. Even at close range it will not be possible to distinguish where the porcelain crown is installed.
2. If the patient is allergic to any metals.
3. Covering the front of one or more adjacent teeth.
4. Previously, a porcelain crown was not placed on the lateral sections of the jaw arch, but today they use a special frame made of zirconia. This allows you to install it without restrictions on the location.
Now let's talk about factors that will not allow the patient to establish these structures:
1. Large malocclusion.
2. The lack of hardness of the bone tissue of the tooth.
3. The chronic form of periodontal disease.
Methods
Porcelain and ceramic-metal crowns are similar in manufacturing technology. Specialists distinguish several methods of constructing. The first is when the crown is made in layers. And the second option is pressed ceramics. The difference of the method is visible in the title. Porcelain mass is pressed and fired. It is important to distinguish which method the crown will be made of. For example, a pressed structure is considered more durable.
There are also several ways to install the structure. If the patient’s cervical part of the tooth is not broken, this makes it possible to install the crown without driving it under the edge of the gum. But in the case when this area is destroyed, the specialist makes a structure that covers the entire tooth. Its edges are driven under the gum.
Porcelain crowns: manufacturing steps
The process of creating a structure is considered complex work. It is immediately worth noting that in a artisanal way it is impossible to do it qualitatively. Therefore, you need to contact only specialists. They know all the nuances of creating this dental masterpiece. You will be sure that all the conditions of manufacturing technology are met.
Creating porcelain designs consists of several stages:
1. Preparation of the tooth.
2. Taking a cast.
3. Getting the model.
4. The formation of a cap made of platinum foil.
5. Modeling the crown.
6. Preliminary and final firing of porcelain.
7. Setting the crown on the tooth stump.
Next, we will consider each stage of the manufacture of crowns.
Preparation
To ensure the structural strength of its walls should be at least 1-1.5 mm. In this regard, the tooth is grinded more than, for example, when installing a prosthesis made of metal. After processing, the stump takes a cylindrical or conical shape. The way in which they decide to dissect the tooth will depend on the location of the lesion site.
Preparatory stage
In order for the porcelain crown to harmoniously fit into the dentition, the specialist makes a combined cast.
A copper ring filled with a special mass is applied to the prepared stump. Without removing it from the oral cavity, an impression of the entire dentition is made. Then cast a gypsum model. From it, a stump mold can be removed and reinserted. This will help in the future to make a quality crown made of porcelain.
Crown making
A specialist prepares a platinum cap. To do this, he tightens the cast stump with special foil. It is necessary to arrange it so that there is not a single fold, and she tightly fit the stump. Cut off excess edges. The platinum cap is placed in the mold. Now the specialist’s task is to choose the right color of the porcelain mass. This is a very important point, responsible for the similarity of the design with the "native" tooth. The specialist applies the mass to the cap, forming a crown.
After simulating the workpiece, the cap is removed. Then impose another layer of a special composition. This will compensate for the mass loss during firing.
Installation
When the design is already finally ready, it went through several firing and grinding procedures, fitting is carried out. If the result satisfies both the specialist and the patient, then it is time to install it. It is important to choose the right color for phosphate cement. Do this, given the shade of adjacent teeth.
Advantages and disadvantages
Before making any decision, it is important to study all the positive and negative factors. The manufacturing methods of porcelain crowns make structures incredibly aesthetic. They also turn out to be strong and durable.
Hypoallergenic material is a good bonus, for many patients it is an important and significant plus. Moreover, crowns do not stain over time, such as, for example, plastic prostheses.
The negative sides of porcelain crowns include fragility, which is characteristic of ceramics. There is also a risk of damage to the enamel layer of adjacent teeth. Another disadvantage is the lack of fit to the gum. It should be noted that all of the above disadvantages can be called conditional. A good specialist can do the job without flaw.
Care Tips
High-quality manufacture of a porcelain crown and its correct installation provide the patient with a wonderful smile. However, after that, the task of preserving the result of the work of a specialist rests on his shoulders. Despite the average design life of 15 years, it is considered a somewhat fragile product. Therefore, treat porcelain crowns with care. Even a small crack can significantly reduce the life of the structure.
We have already said that it is necessary to carefully eat solid foods. Also, experts recommend paying due attention to oral hygiene. Of course, the prosthesis is not susceptible to carious damage. But plaque is able to penetrate under the edge of the gums, and germs will hit the supporting stump. To avoid this, it is necessary to thoroughly brush your teeth after eating, use special anti-inflammatory drugs for the oral cavity.
Both plastic, and porcelain crowns, and any other designs require the same careful leaving, as well as "native" teeth. Treat products with care, and possibly their service life will increase significantly. Specialists strongly recommend a visit to the dentist twice a year for the purpose of a routine examination.
Issue price
Everyone is already used to the fact that a quality service cannot be cheap. The situation is the same with porcelain crowns. The cost of one unit starts at 13,000 rubles. In almost all clinics, you have to pay extra, for example, for consulting and manufacturing a temporary plastic crown. The design based on zirconium dioxide will cost the patient 16,000 rubles. And this is the minimum amount. Despite the fact that these products are not available to all segments of the population, they are very popular. Many patients prefer to pay once and get excellent results for many years.
Reviews of specialists and patients
If you pay attention to the reviews of specialists about the structures under consideration, you can see that they are only positive. At the same time, doctors note that a good result is achieved subject to the technology of tooth preparation and the production of crowns. Therefore, the patient should approach the choice of the clinic responsibly. A visitor to a dental office has the right to familiarize himself with licenses and diplomas owned by a specialist.
Patient reviews also agree that if the budget does not limit a person, and he seeks to create an aesthetic smile, one must give preference to porcelain. Moreover, the lateral teeth can now also be restored with non-metal ceramics. Negative reviews mainly relate to the cost of crowns.