Questions about Porcelain Crowns

In Toronto and Mississauga, Ontario

Why should I choose porcelain crowns over metal restorations?
Over the last several years, porcelain crowns, inlays, onlays, and fillings have become a more popular choice at Willow Dental. For most people, the choice between metal and porcelain is an aesthetic one. Porcelain crowns can be matched to the natural colour of your teeth, so that your smile is not disrupted by the appearance of a metal crown or other restoration. Others feel that porcelain is a safer alternative, since it does not contain mercury.

Do porcelain crowns last as long as metal crowns?
Porcelain crowns are quite durable and can last many years, just like metal crowns. The adhesive used to attach the crowns to your teeth produces a naturally strong bond, and porcelain itself stands up well to everyday wear and tear. Sometimes porcelain crowns can become stained, but in most other ways are equally long lasting. If stains become a problem for your smile, Willow Dental offers professional teeth whitening treatment.

How are porcelain crowns placed on my teeth?
The procedure for placing a porcelain crown is much the same as that for a metal crown. The tooth is defined to make room for the crown, and  an impression is made from which the crown will be manufactured. While the crown is being produced, a temporary crown protects your tooth. Finally, the custom made crown is affixed to your tooth with a safe, permanent dental adhesive.

What are the advantages of porcelain crowns?
Aside from their natural colour, porcelain crowns provide other advantages over metal crowns. Porcelain responds to heat and cold much like your natural teeth do, by expanding and contracting slightly with the changes in temperature. Metal does not respond in this way, and in some cases the tooth beneath the crown can be damaged or cracked over time. Metal also conducts heat and cold so that teeth treated with metal crowns can sometimes be more sensitive than those treated with porcelain. Porcelain bonds to your teeth in a different way than metal does, making a porcelain crown overall more like your natural tooth.

To find out more about porcelain crowns, please contact the experienced dentists at Willow Dental today. We serve patients in the Toronto and Mississauga,  areas.