What To Know About Getting A Porcelain Crown For Your Front Tooth
If you have a large cavity in your tooth, the dentist may not be able to put in a filling. There has to be enough healthy tooth left after the decay is removed to hold onto the filling. If a filling won't work, your dentist will probably recommend getting a crown. A crown fits over your tooth like a cap. When you need a crown on a front tooth, the porcelain variety is usually the best choice because it looks natural. Here are a few things to know about getting a porcelain crown.
Porcelain Looks Natural
Since the crown is over a front tooth, it will be visible when you smile. For that reason, you want a crown that looks totally natural. Your dentist selects a shade for the crown that closely matches your natural teeth, so it blends in well. In addition to that, porcelain has a reflective quality that's a lot like natural enamel. The end result is a crown that looks just like your real tooth. No one will be able to tell it's a crown.
Porcelain Crowns Are Custom Made
When you go to the dentist to get your crown, you'll need two separate visits. On the first visit, the dentist takes an impression of your mouth so the crown can be made in a lab. The crown is made to the ideal width and height to match your other teeth. That way it looks natural and it won't feel bothersome in your mouth. On the second visit, the crown is attached to your tooth. Since the visits may be a couple of weeks apart, your dentist may put a temporary crown on while you wait for your second appointment.
Porcelain Is Biocompatible
Metal crowns are an alternative to porcelain. They are usually used on back teeth since they are not the same color as your other teeth. However, if you have an allergy to metals, you may run into problems with a crown that has gold or nickel in it. You can avoid the possibility of an allergic reaction by choosing a porcelain crown. Porcelain is a biocompatible material. In addition to not provoking your allergies, its exterior surface is very similar to natural enamel. This eliminates concerns with irritating the inside of your lips or cheeks when you eat.
Porcelain crowns are also durable, so they are suitable for ripping and tearing into food, which is the function of your front teeth. The only drawback to porcelain is that it is a little more expensive than metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal. Porcelain crowns start around $800 while the other crowns start at $500 to $600. However, the extra expense is worth it since a crown on your front tooth not only restores the function of your tooth, it also affects the appearance of your smile. For more information about porcelain crowns, contact a dental practice such as Four Corners Dental Group.
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