Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are prosthetic devices that fully cover or 'cap' damaged, discolored, or chipped teeth. Our experienced cosmetic dentists specialize in this procedure and have performed it for countless patients in the Lansing area.

porcelain Crowns

A porcelain crown is an excellent way of restoring a whole tooth, being a cap that covers the entire tooth. porcelain crowns can make a tooth look very natural, and very esthetically pleasing.

Placed on a front tooth, they can repair severe decay, chips, or fractures. They are stronger than a filling.

For front tooth restorations, three types of crowns are available:

• porcelain-fused-to-metal
• Bonded all-porcelain
• Extra strength all-porcelain

They will all be custom-matched in color to your natural teeth.

Bonded All-porcelain

A bonded all-porcelain crown is entirely composed of porcelain or other ceramic materials. By itself, porcelain is brittle, but when bonded to a natural tooth, it becomes very durable. porcelain has the most esthetically appealing look, closely resembling a natural tooth, much more than any other type of crown. Bonded all-porcelain crowns cost more than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Also this type of crown may not be strong enough to be placed on back teeth.

• Before porcelain Crowns
• After porcelain Crowns

Extra Strength All-porcelain

This type of crown has a ceramic material core or lining that gives it exceptional strength. In some instances, this type of crown will be placed on a front tooth, although it is more often placed on back teeth. Though very strong, it is not as esthetically pleasing as its counterpart, the bonded all-porcelain crown. This is because the ceramic core inside it gives it a more opaque, flat white appearance that does not match natural tooth enamel as well as all-porcelain.

porcelain-Fused-to-Metal

This type of crown is typically the most economical, but it can develop an ugly black line around the margin as the gum tissue recedes with age. porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns have one distinct advantage - superior strength. They are typically used for back teeth.

Gold

Gold is always the best choice for crown material because it provides a better fit than porcelain crowns. Also, gold crowns wear more gently on opposing teeth. For durability, nothing is better than gold. Typically these crowns are placed only on back teeth.

General Recommendations

• When a front tooth requires a crown, and when esthetics is a prime concern; a bonded all-porcelain crown is the best choice
• When a back tooth requires a crown, gold is always the best choice
• For those teeth in-between the front and back teeth porcelain fused to metal crowns are suggested

The procedure

The process for installing a crown entails slightly cutting down the affected teeth before creating a custom-fit prosthetic that is developed using a mold of your teeth. Once the prosthetic has been created, it is attached to your tooth with dental cement that is also custom-colored to match the appearance and sheen of your natural teeth. The whole process usually takes two to three appointments at our Howell office.

" The dental procedures we specialize in enhance our
patients' look and their quality of life! "

If you are in the Lansing area and would like to improve your dental health or appearance, please contact Dr. DiStefano and Dr. Nguyen today!