Crowns
Porcelain veneers are fine sheets of ceramic material that are bonded to the visible surface of the front teeth.
Crowns are also fine sheets of porcelain that cover the whole of the outside of the tooth, which is previously ground down so that the thickness of the sheets is naturally integrated with the size of the tooth.
They are mainly used for cosmetic reasons (to improve the shape of the tooth, repair cracks, correct intrinsic tooth colour abnormalities, tint), although they can also be used to correct bad tooth positions (mainly the crowns), and therefore improve dental hygiene and preserving your stomatognathic system.
When are crowns used?
Limitations
Once cemented in place, the porcelain veneers cannot be removed; if they are removed, they must be replaced with other similar laminate to recover the size of the tooth after it was reduced to fit the first sheet. This means it is an irreversible treatment. Porcelain is a fragile material, so if you are not careful and bite food such as nuts or shellfish, the veneer may crack and have to be replaced.
When are crowns used?
For the placement of crowns, it is necessary to previously grind down the tooth or teeth on which the crown is to be cemented.
This carving is generally more aggressive than with veneers.
How are the crowns attached?
The crowns can be made of different materials, such as metal-ceramic, porcelain or zirconia.
Each case has its indications depending on the aesthetic and functional needs, thus, the porcelain ones will be more aesthetic but the metal-porcelain ones are more resistant, and they may be used in the areas of the molars since they have to withstand greater loads when chewing.
What types of crowns or covers are there?
Crowns last about 20 years on average, provided the supporting tooth is in good condition. That is why it is very important to go to the relevant check-ups and maintain proper dental hygiene around them.
