Are Porcelain Crowns Strong? Explained!

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Are porcelain crowns strong? If you have broken, cracked, or decayed teeth, your dentist will likely recommend dentures to protect the remaining tooth structure and restore function. A dental crown is a hollow cap placed over the top of an existing tooth to protect it and provide stability. 

Dental crowns and bridges are sometimes also used in coordination with dental implants. They are bonded to the abutment piece to provide the ideal bite and desired appearance.

Recently, porcelain has become one of the favorite types of dentists and patients. In this blog, we will discuss whether porcelain crowns are strong.

What is a dental crown?

Speaking of are porcelain crowns strong ? A dental crown, sometimes known as a dental cap, is a type of restoration (fixed prosthesis) that covers or surrounds a tooth or dental implant. 

A crown is often required when there is a large tooth cavity that threatens the integrity of the tooth’s natural structure. The tooth to be crowned is prepared first, and the crown is usually bonded to the tooth using dental cement.

Crowns can be made from many materials (metals, gold, ceramic with metal, pure ceramic such as E-max and other types), which are usually manufactured using indirect methods. 

A crown is often used to improve the strength or appearance of teeth. While it can be beneficial for the teeth if it is prepared well by a doctor and laboratory, the procedures and materials can be expensive to manufacture.

Read more: Ceramic Vs Porcelain Crown Which Is Better To Perfect Smile

Why is a dental crown needed?

In addition are porcelain crowns strong ? The doctor recommends installing a crown for the teeth to protect them from further damage and improve their appearance and aesthetic appearance. The reasons for dental crowns include the following:

  • Restoring the form, function and appearance of broken or worn teeth, where other filling treatments are inadequate or have proven to be clinically unsuccessful.
  • Improving the aesthetics of poor/unsatisfactory-looking teeth that cannot be improved by simple cosmetic treatments.
  • Severe tooth decay that cannot be treated with fillings alone.
  • After root canal treatment (canal filling) to preserve the tooth as it becomes brittle and easy to fracture.
  • Cracked or broken teeth.
  • Worn and weak teeth.
  • Damaged and discolored teeth, as well as teeth that have changed color.
  • Dental bridge installation.

What types of dental crowns?

Before we discuss are porcelain crowns strong , there are many dental crowns used by dentists, which can be summarized as follows:

1-Full metal crowns

As the name suggests, these crowns are completely cast in a metal alloy. There are many alloys available and the choice of one alloy over another depends on several factors.

Including cost, handling, physical properties and biocompatibility. The American Dental Association classifies alloys into three groups: noble alloys, high noble and base metal alloys.

2-High noble alloys

The noble and high noble alloys used in casting crowns are composed of gold alloys. Gold is not used in its pure form because it is thin and has poor mechanical strength. Other metals included in gold bullion are copper, platinum, palladium, zinc, indium and nickel. 

All types of gold alloys used in dental implants (Type I and IV) are classified in terms of their percentage of gold and hardness, with Type I being the softest and Type IV being the strongest. Generally, type III and IV gold alloys are used and contain (62 – 78% and 60 – 70% gold content, respectively).

3-Base metal alloys

Base metal alloys are rarely used to make full metal crowns. They are most commonly used as part of metal-ceramic crowns as an internal thickness for bonding. 

Compared with noble and high noble alloys, it is stronger and more durable and can be used in thin chips (0.3 mm), but it is difficult to adjust and can cause excessive wear on the opposing teeth. Base metal alloys used in: 

  • Dentistry can be silver-palladium. silver-palladium-copper.
  • nickel-chromium nickel-chromium-beryllium, cobalt, or titanium.

4-Metal crowns with ceramic veneers

It is a hybrid of metal and ceramic crowns. The metal part is usually made of a base metal alloy (called a bonding alloy). Dental crowns made of porcelain overlay metal (PFMs); This means that the metal cover is melted and then a porcelain shell is placed on top of it after placing it in a high temperature oven. 

The metal provides the appropriate strength and intensity, and the porcelain gives the crown a suitable appearance that resembles the natural tooth color, and is suitable for restoring front teeth.

The properties of the metal alloy chosen must match the ceramic used to be bonded, otherwise problems such as chipping or cracking of the ceramic and its separation from the metal can occur. 

Also check: Get Porcelain Veneers Without Shaving Teeth 2024

5-Pure ceramic crowns

Dental ceramic or porcelain is used to make crowns primarily for its aesthetic properties compared to all metal restorations. 

These materials are generally brittle and prone to breakage. Many classifications have been used to classify dental ceramics. They may be made of silica, alumina, or zirconia.

6-Zirconia

Zirconia is an extremely hard ceramic that is used as a strong inner material in some all-ceramic implants. Zirconia is relatively new in dentistry so published research into its success and performance in the mouth is limited. 

The zirconia substructure (core) is designed digitally using CAD CAM technology by taking photographs of the patient’s mouth, which are captured using a 3D digital scan directly from the teeth or from an impression or model. 

A block of zirconia is then ground into a soft sintered state. Once milled, the zirconia is transported to a melting furnace where it shrinks by 20% to reach its full strength of 850MPa to 1000MPa. 

What is porcelain crown?

Speaking of are porcelain crowns strong ? porcelain crowns are dental crowns made entirely of ceramic material. It can be an excellent alternative for patients looking for a long-lasting, natural dental restoration; Because they are made to closely mirror the appearance of natural teeth.

Porcelain crowns are usually recommended for highly visible teeth, such as front teeth. Because it provides excellent aesthetics and a natural appearance. It is also an ideal choice for patients with sensitive teeth, or who suffer from allergies to metals, because it does not contain any metal.

Porcelain crowns are an excellent option for patients with tooth decay and large fillings. Prosthetic dental treatments such as crowns are no less important than dental implants. Because porcelain crowns provide;

  • Decent appearance.
  • Brings a comfortable and stable feeling.
  • Better gum tissue and overall oral health.

Type of porcelain crown?

Are Porcelain Crowns Strong

When it comes to are porcelain crowns strong . There are many types of porcelain crowns available at Mavidenta Center, such as:

1-Porcelain fused to metal

It is a common type of dental crown, used for many years. The panel consists of a metal base made of an alloy containing gold or other metals, covered by a layer of porcelain to give the panel a natural appearance.

The metal base gives the crown strength and durability, and the porcelain layer mimics the appearance of natural teeth. The porcelain is shaded to match the color of your teeth, so the veneer cannot be distinguished from the rest of the teeth.

The color of the veneer blends in with the color of the rest of the teeth.

Porcelain fused to metal crowns are a versatile option, used for both front and back teeth. It is recommended for patients who need a crown placed on the back teeth that can withstand a lot of force and pressure.

2-Covers made entirely of porcelain

They are known as all-ceramic crowns. These crowns are known for their natural appearance and are a popular choice for people who want a crown that looks similar to a natural tooth.

This type of crown has many advantages compared to other types of dental crowns, including:

  • Highly aesthetic.
  • Matches the color and transparency of your natural teeth.
  • Strong and durable.
  • Suitable for use on front and back teeth.

The process of obtaining an all-porcelain crown is similar to other crowns. The dentist will prepare the tooth by removing any decay and shaping the tooth to fit the crown. He then takes an exact copy of the prepared tooth and sends it to the dental laboratory to create the desired crown.

3-Zircon

Zirconium is made mainly of porcelain, with additions of other materials, to give the zirconium greater hardness than regular porcelain. Zirconium crowns are not based on a metal structure and are more integrated with the gum tissue.

They are lighter than porcelain veneers, more wear-resistant than porcelain veneers, and are an excellent cosmetic option but more expensive than porcelain.

Zirconium is a very hard metal that can be relied upon in the manufacture of many shapes of artificial teeth, including prosthetic parts such as dental crowns or veneers.

Among the characteristics of zirconium is the ease of controlling its degree of whiteness in a way that suits and harmonizes with the original teeth. Among the advantages of zirconium is that the mouth shows no resistance to it and even accepts and adapts to it easily without violent resistance. 

Read more: What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic veneers?

Benefits of porcelain crowns

In addition, are porcelain crowns strong ? A porcelain crown has many benefits to every person. In general, the benefits and advantages of a dental crown are:

  • Repair and restore damaged or altered teeth.
  • Supports weak tooth structure and protects broken tooth structure.
  • Preventing the spread of tooth cracks.
  • Dental restoration after root canal surgery.
  • Improving chewing performance with broken teeth.
  • Improve speaking power.
  • Enhancing the beauty of teeth when laughing.
  • Prevent tooth erosion.
  • Assistance in attaching a dental bridge.
  • Whitening discolored teeth.
  • Increased length or width of the tooth.

In cases where the upper section of the tooth is damaged due to severe caries, trauma, fracture, or poor tooth structure after root canal treatment, the use of a crown is necessary.

The most important feature of a crown is to protect the tooth structure from fractures and maintain the health of the tissues around the teeth.

Are porcelain crowns strong?

Speaking of are porcelain crowns strong? The porcelain material used in the manufacture of dental implants is characterized by its closeness to the color and reflections of the original teeth, which makes it give a more natural and attractive appearance to the shape of the mouth and smile. In addition other features such as:

High efficiency:

This type of dental prosthesis is characterized by its high effectiveness and good resistance to pressure, chewing and cutting factors, especially if it is used in the manufacture of posterior dental prostheses and dental incisors.

Give necessary rest:

Porcelain fixtures are characterized by providing a high level of comfort for the patient, as they do not cause erosion of the tissues surrounding the teeth and they also greatly reduce the risk of damaging the dental bones, unlike some other materials used in the manufacture of dental fixtures.

High safety rates:

This type of dental implants does not cause tooth sensitivity because it does not contain metals, unlike some other materials used in the manufacture of dental implants, such as silver, gold, titanium, and others, which makes it one of the most biocompatible materials with the nature of the human body.

live long:

Porcelain dental implants are characterized by their long service life, as they are resistant to rust and discoloration.

Porcelain crown cost 

Are Porcelain Crowns Strong

In addition, are porcelain crowns strong ? The prices of porcelain dental implants vary according to many factors, the most prominent of which are:

  • The experience and skill of the plastic surgeon and his years of medical and practical experience in this field.
  • Evaluation of the clinic or medical center by customers and the level of medical services provided through it.
  • The cost of this medical procedure also varies according to the country and also according to the costs of medical tourism, if any.

However, the average cost of installing fixed porcelain teeth ranges in some countries, such as Switzerland, Germany, and America. The cost of installing porcelain teeth starts at $1000 per tooth, all or some of which is covered according to the health insurance system in that country.

Read more: Is a Gold Crown Better Than Porcelain Crown? Pros and Cons

Conclusion

At the end of the text, are porcelain crowns strong ? Some patients express their concern about this matter before undergoing dental crown installation, so we mentioned in our article the most important information that helps patients choose the best type of dental crown.

FAQ

Does dental crowns require anesthesia?

The patient only needs a local anesthetic to install a dental crown or crown in the specialist doctor’s office, who installs it after performing the necessary x-rays and examinations and then taking the appropriate sizes. Thus, its installation resembles natural teeth, which gives the patient the confidence he needs.

How old are dental crowns?

The validity period or lifespan of dental crowns varies depending on the material they are made of, but in most cases the crown lasts in good condition for an average of 15 years, and longer if the crown is made of porcelain or gold to give it greater strength.

What are dental crowns price?

The price of dental crowns varies from one center to another and from one country to another, which leaves you with a wide range of options, but on average the cost per year is between $400 and $1000.

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