All-Ceramic Dental Crowns – Newington, CT
Beautiful, Natural-Looking Dental Restorations
Dental crowns are often necessary in order to save a damaged tooth from extraction and renew its form and function. Many types of dental crowns are available, including ones made out of metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and all-ceramic. At Family Dental Practice of Newington, we are proud to offer all-ceramic dental crowns because they provide remarkable function, durability, and aesthetics. On this page, you will learn more about these restorations and how they might benefit you.
What Are All-Ceramic Dental Crowns?
As their name implies, all-ceramic dental crowns are constructed out of 100 percent dental ceramic (which is sometimes called dental porcelain). Ceramic is a special type of refined clay. Crowns made out of it considered to be metal-free because although they may contain traces of some metals, the amount of metal in them is so small that it is not worth taking into account.
Ceramic crowns can be used for virtually all the same purposes as metal crowns. That is to say, they can protect damaged teeth, serve as part of a bridge to replace missing teeth, and more.
The All-Ceramic Dental Crown Procedure
The all-ceramic dental crown procedure is similar to the traditional crown procedure. It usually takes place across two appointments. The process begins when we prepare the tooth to receive the crown, which usually involves filing away some enamel so the tooth fits well beneath its restoration. After the tooth is ready, we take impressions and images of it. Then, the patient wears a temporary crown while the permanent one is being designed and fabricated.
Why Choose an All-Ceramic Crown Over a Traditional Crown?
Some advantages of all-ceramic crowns include:
- Strength and durability. Ceramic is very strong. It is able to stand up to all the rigors of everyday eating, speaking, and drinking.
- Natural look. The ceramic is shade-matched to blend in seamlessly with the surrounding dentition. The crowns are carefully designed to complement a patient’s natural bite and facial aesthetics.
- No allergic reaction. Some patients have allergic reactions to metal crowns, but that should never be an issue with all-ceramic restorations.
- Mercury free. Some types of metal restorations contain a significant amount of mercury, which is a known toxic substance. All-ceramic crowns are completely without mercury.
- Low risk of infection. A ceramic crown provides excellent protection for the tooth beneath it. Bacteria are unlikely to sneak beneath it and cause an infection.
- No metal absorption. Metal crowns may release trace amounts of metal, which then get absorbed into the bloodstream. That is not a risk with all-ceramic crowns.
Cost of All-Ceramic Dental Crowns
During your consultation, we will give you an estimate for the cost of your crown. In most cases, dental insurance is willing to pay for a significant portion of the cost of all-ceramic restorations (if they are deemed medically necessary, rather than for purely cosmetic purposes). Low-interest financing is also available for most patients.