Porcelain Crowns

Cosmetic Dentist Serving San Jose, Sunnyvale and the Bay Area

Porcelain crowns have been used in dentistry for more than fifty years. Prior to the development of porcelain veneers, the porcelain crown was the only way to improve the color, shape, or size of an existing tooth. Prior to porcelain crowns some people would remove healthy teeth and replace them with dentures to improve cosmetics!

All-porcelain, or porcelain -fused-to-metal?

Porcelain crowns can be either homogeneous (with no core) or non homogeneous (with a core). Until recently these were the only types of porcelain crowns available because the porcelains were not strong enough to be used alone.

The core is a lining, or coping, inside the crown to give it added strength and durability.

When strength is a consideration, porcelain crowns always have a core made of metal or ceramic.
Porcelain crowns with metal cores (copings) are called porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns or PFMs.

Now we have more porcelain crown choices

We have very strong porcelain reinforced with zirconia and alumina, that can be used as the core. This has a huge advantage because all-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns allow light to pass through to the tooth and this results in a very natural looking tooth with improved cosmetics (the pearly-white of natural enamel). The ugly black line that shows above many PFMs is not an issue with all-ceramic porcelain crowns.
Other new porcelains are strong enough to be used without zirconium, aluminum, or metal cores. These are either:

Pressed porcelain -- made of leucite crystals, which are very strong. Pressed porcelain veneers can be made thinner than crowns with cores, since there is only one layer. They are formed under tremendous pressure and heat, on melted porcelain which is forced into a mold to the correct size and shape.
Stacked porcelain – which is not as strong, but can be made even thinner than pressed porcelain. The thinner the crown, the weaker the crown, but less tooth structure needs to be removed.

The type of porcelain crown used in cosmetic dentistry depends on each individual situation. Sometimes combinations of different types are used. The dentist’s and laboratory ceramist’s experience, and the patient’s hygiene, habits, and occlusion all play a part.

Common Dental Problems

Frequently Asked Porcelain Crown Questions

If you would like to learn more about porcelain crowns or any of the procedures or treatments Dr. Wayland provides, or if you would like to find out what cosmetic dentistry techniques he can use to correct your smile, contact him today to schedule your initial consultation.