Porcelain and Zirconia Crowns in Downtown Edmonton

A crown is a restoration that covers, or caps, a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size. Its purpose is to strengthen or improve the appearance of a tooth. A crown is placed for a number of reasons:

• To support a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining
• To attach a bridge
• To protect weak teeth from fracturing
• To restore fractured teeth
• To cover badly shaped or discoloured teeth
• To cover a dental implant

Dental crowns are commonly used with implants to replace missing or decayed teeth. They can also be used as anchors for dental bridges and partial dentures. Porcelain and gold have long been the traditional materials composing crowns. Porcelain crowns can give a more natural look, but is more prone to chipping. Gold crowns are the least expensive, but they have a non-tooth coloured appearance. Crowns can also be made of zirconium. Zirconium crowns produce a great, natural look and don’t bring uncomfortable side effects.

Which Material is best?

Both the "look" and function of your crowns are considered when choosing the materials most suitable for you. Dr. Magathan will consider the tooth location, the position of the gum tissue, the amount of tooth that shows when you smile, the colour or shade of the tooth and the function of the tooth to help you choose the best option for optimal dental function and appearance.

Crowns are made from a number of hi-tech materials. Gold alloys or porcelain or combinations and zirconia may be materials used. Zirconia is commonly used because of its strength and pleasing aesthetic look. In the process of making the crown, the porcelain is placed to blend in with your natural teeth. Crowns made entirely of zirconia or porcelain may look better especially on the front teeth.

What is Zirconium?

Zirconium is a strong type of crystal that has numerous favorable qualities. Crystal is known for being long-lasting and indestructible. Zirconium is no different. Besides its strength and durability, zirconium is also compatible with the human body, making its use popular in the medical field.

The major advantages of zirconium include:

• Biocompatibility
  Because the body won’t reject the zirconium, there will lower chances of infections, complications, pain, discomfort, and allergic reactions to the crowns.
• Great at hiding tooth damage.
  Zirconium is preferred over porcelain in covering up and hiding tooth damage caused by staining or fractures.
• Durability.
  Being made of crystal, zirconium is nearly indestructible, easily withstanding the most vigorous chewing and biting activities. In fact, zirconium is five times as strong as porcelain! Zirconium crowns are milled in a way that they are nearly indestructible.
• Long-lasting.
  Going along with its durability, zirconium crowns also last longer than porcelain crowns. This is, mainly due to zirconium being more resistant to chipping and cracking.
• Less tooth structure has to be removed.
  Typically, when a crown is needed, a layer of the original tooth is removed for the crown to fit over it properly. The strength of zirconium means that a thinner layer of it is required for the crown. A thinner crown results in less of the original tooth to be removed.
• Aesthetically pleasing.
  Zirconium crowns are translucent being made from crystal. The clear, translucent appearance of zirconium allows for the perfect tooth coloring that best matches the patient’s natural tooth color, better than gold or porcelain crowns.
• No metal is needed.
  Unlike gold or porcelain crowns, zirconium crowns don’t require to be fused with a metal base which make traditional crowns more noticeable.

Zirconium crowns give you the comfort, security, feel, durability and appearance of natural teeth. Our priority is your comfort and optimal results that better your dental health and maintain healthy oral function. If you’d like to speak to one of our dentists about Crowns and their benefits, contact us or visit our Dental Centre in downtown Edmonton. We’re here to answer your questions!