Questions About Having A Ceramic Crown Installed For A Chipped Tooth
If you have a chipped tooth, your dentist may have suggested a ceramic crown. Crowns come in a variety of materials, such as stainless steel, ceramic, ceramic-over-metal or even gold. Still, a ceramic crown is often preferred, because it is tooth-colored. Here are a few questions and answers about having a ceramic crown installed for a chipped tooth:
Why would the dentist suggest a ceramic crown instead of a veneer?
There are multiple reasons why a dental professional would select a ceramic crown instead of a dental veneer, but one of the most prominent reasons is the need for greater protection. A dental veneer, even if it is made of porcelain ceramic, is generally applied only to the front surface of the damaged tooth. On the other hand, a ceramic crown encloses the entire exposed natural crown of the tooth. The crown, like the veneer, improves the appearance of the tooth. In fact, the chipped area will no longer be visible. In addition, the ceramic crown's enclosure of the full tooth crown provides additional fortification for the tooth structure and more thoroughly prevents the invasion of oral bacteria, which can cause the tooth to decay.
How many dental appointments are required for the placement of a ceramic crown?
The placement of a ceramic crown to cover your chipped tooth occurs during a single dental visit. However, an additional visit may be required before the crown's placement to obtain a quality mold or impression of the tooth. This mold or impression is used by a dental laboratory to fashion a crown that will fit the specific contours of your mouth. Additionally, the shade of the ceramic crown will be matched to that of your other teeth, so the crown looks natural.
If you would like a faster application, a same-day ceramic crown may be suitable. Same-day ceramic crowns can be created and placed during the same appointment. In order to use this technologically advanced application, your dentist will need CAD/CAM technology, which is based on digital imaging and computerized milling.
A small probe with a camera on its end is placed in your mouth and three-dimensional images are created. These images are sent to a computer that that makes a digital map of the desired crown and feeds the information to a milling machine that actually fabricates the crown from a block of ceramic material.
To learn more about the use of a ceramic crown to cover a chipped tooth, click here for info, or schedule an appointment with a dentist in your local area.
