Technologies of modern dentistry have long been able to provide decent quality services to the population. The aesthetics of a smile is highly valued. That is why people tend to use 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 is this?
Porcelain crown is a design made using a special technology. These prostheses are considered an innovation in domestic dentistry. They are made from special porcelain. The material does not contain even the slightest metal impurities. The product most accurately recreates the lost tooth. The design has good light transmission. Most often, crowns look more attractive than natural teeth.
Lifetime
The design has an average service life, which ranges from 10-15 years. The use of the latest technologies in the manufacture of crowns allows us to make them not only beautiful, but also durable. However, the durability of the product can be affected by the habits of the patient, for example, if a person is very fond of solid food or clenching their teeth a lot. This can lead to the appearance of premature defects on the structure in the form of cracks. Therefore, the user must follow all the recommendations of the doctor if he has a crown (porcelain) on his tooth. It is also advisable to refuse to eat too solid food (crackers, nuts) or limit its use. In this case, the structures will serve their 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 a doctor a reason to recommend the construct in question to a patient:
1. Covering anterior teeth. The material allows you to reproduce the natural color of the enamel as accurately as possible. Even at close range, it will be impossible to distinguish where the porcelain crown is placed.
2. If the patient is allergic to any metal.
3. Covering the front of one or more adjacentteeth.
4. Previously, a porcelain crown was not placed on the lateral parts of the jaw arch, but today a special framework made of zirconium dioxide is used. This allows you to install it without restrictions on location.
Now let's talk about the factors that will not allow the patient to install these constructs:
1. Large bite defects.
2. Lack of hardness of the bone tissue of the tooth.
3. Chronic form of periodontal disease.
Methods
Porcelain and metal-ceramic crowns are similar in manufacturing technology. Specialists distinguish between several methods for performing structures. 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 name. Porcelain mass is pressed and fired. It is important to distinguish by what method the crown will be made. For example, pressed construction 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 a 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 a difficult job. It should be noted right away that it is impossible to do it qualitatively in a artisanal way. Therefore, you need to contact only specialists. They know all the nuancescreating this dental masterpiece. You will be sure that all the conditions of manufacturing technology are met.
The creation of porcelain structures consists of several stages:
1. Tooth preparation.
2. Impression taking.
3. Get model.
4. Platinum foil cap formation.
5. Crown modeling.
6. Porcelain preliminary and final firing.
7. Installation of a crown on the stump of the tooth.
Next, we will look at each step in the manufacture of crowns.
Preparation
To ensure the strength of the structure, 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 prepare the tooth will depend on the location of the lesion.
Preparatory stage
In order for the porcelain crown to fit as harmoniously as possible 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 a plaster model is cast. From it, the cast of the stump can be removed and re-inserted. This will help in the future to make a high-quality porcelain crown.
Production of a crown
Specialist preparing the platinum cap. To do this, he fits the moldstumps with special foil. It must be positioned so that there is not a single fold, and it tightly fits the stump. Trim off excess edges. The platinum cap is placed in the cast. Now the task of the specialist is to choose the right color for 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.
Having simulated the workpiece, the cap is removed. Then another layer of a special composition is applied. This will compensate for the weight loss during firing.
Installation
When the design is finally ready, it has gone through several firing and grinding procedures, and a fitting is carried out. If the result satisfies the specialist and the patient, then it's time to install it. Here it is important to choose the right color of phosphate cement. They do this, taking into account the shade of neighboring teeth.
Pros and cons
Before making any decision, it is important to examine all the positive and negative factors. Methods for manufacturing porcelain crowns allow you to make designs incredibly aesthetic. They are also strong and durable.
The hypoallergenicity of the material is a good bonus, for many patients this is an important and significant plus. In addition, crowns do not stain over time, as, for example, plastic dentures.
The disadvantages of porcelain crowns include fragility, which is typical for ceramics. There is also a risk of damage to the enamel layer of neighboringteeth. Another disadvantage is the insufficient fit of the structure to the gum. It should be noted that all the above disadvantages can be called conditional. A good specialist is able to do the job without flaw.
Care instructions
Quality manufacturing of a porcelain crown and its correct installation provide the patient with a beautiful smile. However, after that, the task of preserving the result of the work of a specialist falls on his shoulders. Despite the fact that the service life of the structure is on average 15 years, it is considered a somewhat fragile product. Therefore, porcelain crowns must be treated with care. Even a small crack can significantly reduce the life of a structure.
We have already talked about the need to carefully eat solid foods. Also, experts recommend paying due attention to oral hygiene. Of course, the prosthesis is not subject to carious lesions. But plaque is able to penetrate under the edge of the gum, and microbes will hit the supporting stump. To avoid this, you must thoroughly brush your teeth after eating, use special anti-inflammatory agents for the oral cavity.
Both plastic and porcelain crowns, and any other designs require the same careful care as "native" teeth. Treat the products with care, and, perhaps, their service life will increase significantly. Experts strongly recommend visiting the dentist twice a year for preventive check-ups.
Issue price
Everyone is used tothat quality service cannot be cheap. The same is true with porcelain crowns. The cost of one unit starts from 13,000 rubles. In almost all clinics, you have to pay extra, for example, for a consultation and the manufacture of a temporary plastic crown. The construction 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 great results for years to come.
Reviews of specialists and patients
If you pay attention to the reviews of experts about the designs in question, 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 clinic responsibly. A visitor to the dental office has the right to get acquainted with the licenses and diplomas held by the specialist.
Patient reviews also agree that if the budget does not limit a person, and he seeks to create an aesthetic smile, porcelain should be preferred. Moreover, lateral teeth can now also be restored with metal-free ceramics. Negative reviews are mainly related to the cost of crowns.
