What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a replacement of your missing tooth structure. When a tooth is severely decayed, worn, or needs a big modification of its form, we make a crown on it. In order to do this, we need to remove a small amount of tooth structure. Thanks to zirconia this only a small fragement of the tooth.

How much healthy tooth structure is removed?

Thanks to the strongness of zirconia we need to remove only a small part of the tooth structure. Often times we can keep a lot of healthy enamel. Parts of the tooth, where it has an old filling or decay, is removed and cleaned. If there are one or more sides of the tooth, which are completely healthy, we make a partial crown. This way we save healthy tooth structure. With our bonding procedure we create a very strong link between tooth and zirconia, this way even partial crowns stick to the tooth perfectly, are very long lasting, and durable.

How does the procedure work?

1. First we do an examination, after which we create a treatment plan for you and consult it with you.

2. Then we treat any infections that we may have encountered during the exam, so we can work with healthy teeth.

3. After this we prepare your tooth for the crown. This means forming it, so our laboratory can create a proper, long lasting crown on to it.

4. We take a digital impression (scanning) of your teeth.

5. The lab produces the prototype of your final teeth. This has the form of your final tooth, but is made from a plastic. This way you test it how your final tooth will look and feel like.

6.a If you want, we immediately fabricate the final zirconia crown so you get everything done in one visit.

6.b You go come with the provisional crown. This is suggested, when we are making several crowns, and you should have time to test the new form and look, so the final crowns will exactly match your expectations.

7. Regular check-ups.

How many visits are needed?

This depends on your wishes. If you want to do it in just one visit, you have to stay here for 5 days, so we have enough time to fabricate your final teeth and let you go home securely. We suggest to do it in two shorter visits. The first visit take 2-3 days, after which you go home with provisional crowns. You test them and ascertain that they feel and look like you expected. The next time you come to get your final, zirconia crowns. This visit takes 2 days usually.

If there are infections that need to be handled or other dental work, the length of the visits may vary. Consult with us, so we can give you personalized informations.

What is the difference between a zirconia crown and a PFM crown?

1. Zirconia crowns are completely metal free and are fabricated in one piece, because of this it is very strong. Porcelain fused to metal crowns have a metal core on which porcelain is layered. The edge of these crowns can appear to be darker, creating an unnatural look. (as seen in this pictures, at the upper front teeth)

Zirconia crowns and bridges don't have such a metal core. This way there is no dark edge.

2. The ceramic top of PFM crowns is more prone to chipping, as it is a weaker material. Zirconia crowns are less likely to chip, as it is a stronger type of ceramic.

3. The other difference is, that PFM crowns need more tooth grinding, as there has to be space for metal and ceramic. Zirconia crowns need less tooth reduction, so this way we save more vital tooth structure.

4. Zirconia crowns are fabricated completely digitally and only need minor characterization, coloring by hand, to create a natural look. This way we can exactly reproduce the digitally planned teeth, and get the expected results. PFM crowns are hand made, because of this it can be more likely be different, than the expected form, color.

How long is the life-span of these crowns?

Zirconia crowns are very resistant to staining and wear. If you take good care of your teeth and see your dentist for a check-up every year, they can last for several decades.

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