What is a dental crown?
Made of porcelain, zirconia or emax, the crown has 2 functions:
-First, it covers an unattractive tooth like a hat, giving it the shape and shade you want.
-Second, the crown, if mounted on an implant, fills a cavity between 2 or more teeth.
The choice of material is yours: porcelain, zirconia, emax, it’s up to you!
To help you see more clearly, here is some information on these different subjects
The porcelain crown has been designed for the restoration of “front teeth” (anterior teeth). Transparent, it preserves an aesthetic appearance because it imitates the shade and shape of your natural teeth. The pure porcelain crown (therefore without metallic structure) is the only crown which gives the desired translucent appearance to the tooth. Its translucency gives it the color of the tooth covered by it.
The E.max crown takes its name from the material used for its production: lithium disilicate. Highly visible material with zirconia, it is reputed to be the Rolls Royce of materials in terms of aesthetics and durability.
Like the porcelain crown, the E.max crown is translucent: it therefore approximates the shade of your teeth. Without a metal alloy base, it does not affect the aesthetics around the gum line.
E.max are durable, strong and less subject to fractures than other types of crowns but have a higher cost of production.
Compared to zirconia crowns, E.max crowns are less likely to be chipped but remain somewhat less resistant to pressure (when you chew).
Zirconia is a durable and indestructible crystal form. It is recommended for patients with bruxism (who cringe). Zirconia is twice as resistant as lithium disilicate (E.max).
Zirconia crowns are very aesthetic and much more durable than other crowns. The zirconia-based material is easy to work in the laboratory and gives it the shade you want.
Therefore, zirconia crowns are an ideal option for restoring teeth or making a Hollywood Smile.
