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Porcelain Crown
Diagnosis
Patient #2 had a blow to the mouth, fracturing more than half of the tooth, exposing the nerve. The remaining tooth was saved with a root canal. The tooth darkened. She wanted the most esthetic restoration she could have. She has been bleaching her teeth and has them at the shade she is happy with.
Treatment
The remaining tooth structure was cleaned, and the root canal filling was partially removed, making space for a post that was cemented into the tooth. A white core material was applied and the tooth was prepared for a full crown.
We took an impression and built a temporary crown for her to wear for the 2 to 3 weeks until her ceramic crown was ready. An all ceramic (without metal) crown was then fitted, adjusted, and cemented into place.
Future Treatment
All ceramic crowns are not as strong as metal ceramic crowns; she must be careful with biting hard foods. One single, central incisor crown never completely matches the adjacent central incisor. She is very happy with the outcome.
She wanted to leave her other front tooth alone. However, a perfect match is more likely when both teeth are crowned with the same material. We see her every six months. She must be careful to clean well, but not to abrade the gum tissue causing recession exposing the dark root structure. We can expect all ceramic crowns to last on average, 8 to 9 years.
Contents © 2004 Russ Williamson, DMD All Rights Reserved