The Premium Crown selection that we have includes the smile design of the latest technology, it allows us to copy the design of your choice or create a bespoke design with your complete control over the final result
Porcelain Crowns
Metal supported porcelain crowns are used to increase the durability of a damaged or broken tooth. During the preparation stage a chromium-cobalt, or chromium-nickel alloy prosthetic is coated with porcelain to match the texture and colour of the patient’s existing teeth.
Metal supported porcelain crowns can be used to replace a single tooth, or as a bridge. The metal alloy in the substructure of the tooth formation is extremely durable but has low light transmittance. These crowns are more robust and durable, and are generally used for the rear teeth (molars) that are exposed to pressure when chewing. Metal supported porcelain crowns are often used in tandem with implants.
However, metal supported porcelain crowns are not often used to replace front teeth, as they do not transmit light effectively. When designing a new smile for our patients we recommend veneers with a higher permeability and more natural appearance such as zirconium and ‘E-Max’ for these anterior teeth.
The dental technologies available to us in our in-house laboratory allow us to create high-quality dental coatings over the metal alloy substructure of the crown. This is achieved using a fine spray for coating the metal before being baked in a high temperature oven. The result is a very durable finish that will harmonise with the patient’s natural teeth.
When are metal supported porcelain crowns are required?
Wear your new smile with a natural look
Due to their light transmission properties, ‘E-max’ crowns have a rich depth and vitality, blending perfectly with your natural teeth. In our laboratory, we can design a new smile expeditiously with crowns produced utilising our CEREC CAD-CAM technology, supported by a 3-D computer scanner and 3-D printer. ‘E-max’ crowns are extremely durable, are made from first class materials, offering colour-tone compatibility to match the patient’s existing teeth.
‘E-max’ crowns have a highly polished surface that doesn’t allow for the accumulation of bacteria and plaque. They are designed to ensure a perfect fit with the patient’s gums, preventing tooth decay of neighbouring healthy teeth.
While creating an aesthetic ‘smile design’ for the patient, careful preparation by specialist dental physicians is necessary when producing ‘E-max’ coatings.
‘E-max’ crowns have higher light transmittance than zirconium crowns, however, zirconium crowns are slightly more durable than the ‘E-Max’ crown. When fitted, ‘E-Max’ crowns are completely indistinguishable from the patient’s natural teeth.
Porcelain crowns, incorporating a metal alloy foundation, have been used for many years, but lacking the light transmittance of natural teeth, leave the patient with a slightly grey result. These metal crowns can cause a greying of the gums over time, and can also be responsible for allergic reactions. In recent years, newer, healthier and more effective materials have been discovered, giving patients a more satisfactory end result.
Consequently, the tissue-friendly material, zirconium, is now being used in dentistry. Zirconium coatings now offer a similar strength to the previously used metallic alloy used in the past. Zirconium is translucent, does not cause discolouration of the gums, is non-allergic, and is resistant to corrosion, and has since become the first choice for dental restorations.
Providing the patient submits to regular dental controls, zirconia crowns can last for many years. Natural teeth are living tissues, and may become deformed over time due to wear and infections, whereas zirconia crowns are resistant to change over time. However, changes of the mouth structure later in life may cause the zirconia crown to be adapted or replaced where necessary.
Will there be any damage to the underlying natural tooth in the event of the zirconia crown being replaced?
The patient will not feel any discomfort when the crown is removed, and there will be no loss of the natural underlying tooth tissue.
Due to the light transmittance properties of the zirconia material the crown will have the same natural appearance of the patient’s existing natural teeth. Light passes through the enamel of healthy teeth, whereas, the metallic base of conventional porcelain crowns create an opaque, dull and artificial look to the teeth – zirconia crowns eliminate these aesthetic problems.
A zirconia crown does not contain any metal material, thus does not cause any allergic reactions.
Do zirconia crowns cause discoloration in future?
The polished and smooth surface of zirconia crowns does not allow for the accumulation of plaque, and neither does it allow for discolouration caused by tea, coffee and smoking.
Will zirconia affect the sense of taste or cause bad breath?
The use of zirconia will not cause any adverse effects to the mouth of the patient.
The surface of the patient’s natural tooth is reduced very slightly. This may cause some swelling to the surrounding gum. When the swelling has reduced, a dental impression is taken. In our in-house laboratory, a zirconia base is produced matching the colour of the natural teeth. This is then given a fitting trial with the patient. Final adjustments are made, polishing takes place and the final result is permanently cemented into place. The patient can then use the zirconia crown as if it were their natural tooth.
As with the preparation for fitting a porcelain crown with a metal alloy base, the surface of the natural tooth is ground down by about 1-2 mm, with loss of material being slightly higher than when fitting a porcelain laminate.
Is the procedure painfull?
The procedure is undertaken with the use of a local anaesthetic. A temporary crown, matching the patient’s own teeth colour, is then attached to prevent sensitivity to cold or hot. A few patients might experience a mild tingling during the procedure, but generally the procedure is usually completed without problems.
Are there any aesthetic problems experienced during treatment?
A temporary zirconia crown will be attached for the front teeth of a similar design to the final permanent zirconia crown. This temporary crown is made of an acrylic material and not overly strong; however the colour match and shape will be very satisfactory.
Zirconia crowns may crack or break in the case of excessive or adverse force, however the possibility of breaking or cracking is similar to the possibility of breaking a natural tooth. These problems can be cared for at our clinic. Zirconia crowns may fall out if the natural tooth supporting it beneath decays. In such cases, the tooth is treated where possible, and the crown is again cemented in place.
There is no reason not to attach a zirconia crown after the gingival disease has been adequately treated.