What is porcelain crowns?
What is Porcelain Crowns?
A porcelain crown is like a protective cap that covers your entire tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and appearance when it’s damaged or decayed. Think of it as a helmet for your tooth that looks and functions just like a real tooth. I’m Dr. Emily, the principal dentist at Picasso Dental Clinic, and over my 15 years of practice, I’ve placed thousands of porcelain crowns for more than 50,000 patients from around the world. Crowns are custom-made to match the color and shape of your natural teeth so perfectly that nobody can tell the difference. They protect weak teeth, cover large fillings, or improve the appearance of discolored or misshapen teeth.
How Porcelain Crowns Work to Protect Your Teeth
A porcelain crown completely covers the visible part of your tooth above the gum line, giving it strength and protection. When a tooth has a large cavity, a crack, or has undergone root canal treatment, it becomes weak and could break when you bite down on hard foods. The crown acts like armor, holding the tooth together and distributing the force of your bite evenly so nothing breaks. We make crowns from high-quality porcelain because it’s strong, durable, and looks exactly like natural tooth enamel. The porcelain can be shaded to match your surrounding teeth perfectly, so your crown blends in seamlessly with your smile. Unlike metal crowns that look silver or gold, porcelain crowns are tooth-colored and reflect light the same way your natural teeth do. Some crowns have a metal core underneath for extra strength, while all-porcelain crowns are made entirely of ceramic material. At Picasso Dental Clinic, we use the latest materials and techniques to create crowns that are both beautiful and incredibly strong. The crown is cemented permanently onto your prepared tooth, becoming a fixed part of your mouth that you care for just like your natural teeth. With proper care, a porcelain crown can last 10 to 15 years or even longer.
The Process of Getting a Porcelain Crown
Getting a crown usually takes two visits to our clinic, though the actual time you spend in the chair is quite manageable. During your first visit, we numb the area and gently reshape your tooth to make room for the crown to fit over it like a snug cap. We remove a small amount of tooth structure all around, usually about one to two millimeters, so the crown doesn’t make your tooth look bulky or feel too big. After shaping the tooth, we take detailed impressions or digital scans of your teeth to create a model for the lab. These impressions capture every tiny detail so your crown fits perfectly and your bite feels natural. We also choose the exact shade of porcelain that matches your other teeth, ensuring your crown looks completely natural. While the permanent crown is being made at the lab, which takes about one to two weeks, we place a temporary crown to protect your tooth. The temporary crown looks good and works fine, but you need to be gentle with it because it’s not as strong as the permanent one. At your second visit, we remove the temporary crown, clean your tooth, and check the fit and color of your new permanent crown. Once we’re both happy with how it looks and feels, we cement it permanently onto your tooth using special dental adhesive.
Why You Might Need a Porcelain Crown
There are many situations where a crown is the best solution to save and restore your tooth. If you have a tooth with a very large cavity that’s too big for a regular composite filling, a crown provides the strength and coverage the tooth needs. Teeth that have had root canal treatment become brittle over time because the nerve and blood supply are removed, making them prone to cracking without a crown. Cracked or fractured teeth need crowns to hold the pieces together and prevent the crack from spreading deeper. Some people have teeth that are severely discolored or stained beyond what whitening can fix, and crowns can completely change the color. Misshapen or undersized teeth can be covered with crowns to create a more uniform, attractive smile. Crowns are also used as the anchor points for dental bridges, supporting the replacement teeth that fill gaps. If you grind your teeth at night, you might wear down your teeth significantly over time, and crowns can restore their proper height and function. Crowns are also used to cover dental implants, completing the tooth replacement and giving you a natural-looking result. Whatever the reason, crowns are versatile solutions that solve both functional and cosmetic dental problems.
Taking Care of Your Porcelain Crown
Once your crown is in place, caring for it is simple and similar to caring for your natural teeth. Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, making sure to clean along the gum line where the crown meets your tooth. Floss daily around your crown just like you would with natural teeth to prevent gum disease and decay at the edge of the crown. The crown itself can’t get cavities, but the natural tooth underneath where the crown ends can still decay if you don’t keep it clean. Avoid chewing on very hard objects like ice, hard candies, or pen caps, which can chip or crack the porcelain. If you grind your teeth at night, wearing a nightguard protects both your crowns and natural teeth from excessive wear. Visit us for regular routine checkups and cleaning every six months so we can monitor your crown and catch any problems early. Sometimes the cement holding the crown can weaken over time, and we can re-cement it before it falls off completely. With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, your porcelain crown will serve you well for many years. Most patients forget which tooth has a crown because it feels and functions exactly like their natural teeth.
Benefits of Choosing Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns offer the most natural-looking results compared to other materials like metal or resin. They’re stain-resistant, so your crown will maintain its beautiful color even if you drink coffee, tea, or red wine regularly. The strength of modern porcelain allows you to eat all your favorite foods without worry, from crunchy vegetables to chewy meats. Crowns restore your tooth to its full function, allowing you to chew properly and maintain a balanced bite. They’re a long-term solution that can last 10 to 15 years or more, making them a worthwhile investment in your oral health. Unlike some dental treatments that require replacement every few years, a well-made crown provides lasting results. Porcelain is biocompatible, meaning it’s safe for your body and won’t cause allergic reactions or irritation. The procedure is proven and predictable, with millions of successful crowns placed every year worldwide. At our clinic, we’ve helped countless international patients achieve beautiful, functional smiles with high-quality porcelain crowns. Whether you need one crown or a complete smile makeover with multiple crowns, we have the expertise and technology to deliver exceptional results.
Ready to Restore Your Smile with Porcelain Crowns?
At Picasso Dental Clinic, our skilled team creates custom porcelain crowns that look natural, feel comfortable, and last for years. We have convenient locations in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, all equipped with the latest dental technology for precise, beautiful results. Visit our website at https://picassodental.vn or contact us today to schedule your consultation. Let our experts evaluate your teeth and show you how porcelain crowns can transform your smile and protect your oral health.
