Ceramic Crowns

While a dental filling is designed to replace a portion of a decayed or damaged tooth, a dental crown offers full coverage to restore the tooth’s entire outer surface. A well-fitting dental crown not only protects and strengthens the underlying tooth structure, but it also restores the tooth’s appearance and function.

The procedure for getting an all-ceramic crown is much like the procedure for getting any other type of crown. In all cases, the tooth needs to be prepared, an impression taken, and a permanent crown cemented into place. A single all-ceramic crown can typically be fabricated over the course of two visits. However, with CAD/CAM technology, a same-day crown can be fabricated from start to finish in a single visit. With the first approach, a temporary crown is typically worn until the second visit, when the permanent restoration is placed. As with every treatment plan, our office will explain your best options in care.

As the name implies, a temporary crown is only worn for a short time until the permanent crown is placed. A temporary crown is typically fabricated from durable tooth-colored dental acrylics. While designed to protect the underlying tooth between appointments, and until your new permanent crown gets placed, a temporary crown is also fabricated to look like a natural tooth and maintain the look of your smile.

While you should feel better having an attractive and functional tooth to restore your smile, your tooth may feel a little sensitive following treatment. This initial sensitivity will subside. We take great care to make sure your new restoration looks great, fits well, and your bite is perfect. However, we’re always happy to make any minor adjustments to ensure your comfort.

With some exceptions, teeth with root canal procedures are typically restored and protected from further damage with a full-coverage crown. Based on what’s best for your smile, our office will recommend the most appropriate restoration to maintain the health and longevity of your tooth following a root canal procedure.

A dental crown is a long-term restoration that, if properly cared for, can serve you well for many years to come. Once your new crown is placed, it requires the same brushing, flossing, and periodic checkups as your natural teeth. Avoid biting your fingernails and chewing on hard or sticky objects such as ice, pencils, or taffy, which can damage or loosen your crown. Remember, clenching and grinding your teeth puts excessive pressure on both natural teeth and dental restorations. Unless treated, this habit can compromise the longevity and integrity of your dental work, including crowns.

Although your new all-ceramic crown restores the tooth's strength, form, and function, you can still develop dental disease in the absence of proper care. To prevent gum disease and tooth decay, it’s essential to brush and floss as instructed and see our office for routine checkups, cleanings, and care.

How long a dental crown lasts depends on various factors, including your level of oral care, diet, and oral habits. While the standard answer is that dental crowns can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, existing literature confirms that most dental crowns remain in place at 15 to 20 years.

At the office of Nova Dental, we strive to provide the highest quality of care to address all your dental needs. Once we’ve had the opportunity to examine your smile, we can give you a clear picture of any dental issues that are present, along with a quote for how much treatment will be. The cost of dental crowns can vary a little, depending on the type of crown and its location. Our goals are to provide the highest quality of care and help patients begin treatment without additional financial stress or delay. We’re always happy to answer all your questions on dental insurance coverage, available financing, and payment plans.

Coverage for all-ceramic crowns depends on your dental insurance plan. Today, many dental plans provide some level of coverage for all-ceramic crowns. At the office of Nova Dental, we work with patients to optimize their dental benefits and get the care they need to maintain healthy and beautiful smiles!

Ceramic crowns are full-coverage, metal-free restorations fabricated from advanced dental ceramics to rebuild a damaged or weakened tooth. These restorations are designed to replicate the translucency, color gradients, and surface lustre of natural enamel while providing structural support. Because they contain no metal substructure, ceramic crowns eliminate dark margins at the gumline and tend to be well tolerated by oral tissues.

Ceramic systems vary by composition and manufacturing method, but all aim to balance esthetics with mechanical performance. Modern ceramics can be milled in-office or layered by a dental laboratory to achieve customized contours and shades. When planned and placed properly, ceramic crowns restore function and appearance with a natural result.

A crown is recommended when a tooth has lost substantial structure due to decay, a large failed restoration, or a traumatic fracture that a filling cannot reliably restore. Teeth that have undergone root canal therapy are another common indication because the remaining tooth can become brittle and needs full-coverage protection. Crowns are also used to finish dental implants, anchor bridgework, or correct significant cosmetic concerns that simpler restorations cannot address.

The decision between a filling and a crown depends on how much healthy tooth remains and the expected functional demands on that tooth. Your dentist evaluates structural integrity, occlusion, and esthetic goals to recommend the most predictable long-term option. Preserving tooth structure is always a priority, but protection and longevity guide the final recommendation.

Treatment starts with a comprehensive examination and diagnostic imaging to evaluate tooth structure, surrounding tissues, and bite relationships. The tooth is then prepared by removing compromised material and shaping the remaining structure so the crown can seat securely; digital scans or conventional impressions capture the details needed to design the restoration. A temporary crown is placed while the final restoration is fabricated in a dental laboratory or milled in-office using CAD/CAM technology.

When the definitive crown is ready, the dentist verifies fit, contacts, occlusion, and shade before permanent cementation. Minor occlusal adjustments are made to integrate the crown into your bite without introducing new stresses. After placement, you will receive instructions for care and any temporary precautions to protect the restoration during the initial weeks.

Several ceramic materials are commonly used, each with distinct strengths and optical properties. Lithium disilicate offers excellent esthetics and good strength, making it popular for anterior and some posterior restorations, while leucite-reinforced porcelains provide a highly polished surface and pleasing translucency. Zirconia is prized for its high fracture resistance and is often used for posterior teeth or situations with elevated bite forces, and newer high-translucency zirconias improve appearance for visible areas.

The selection depends on the tooth’s location, the amount of remaining structure, and the patient’s esthetic goals. Dentists choose materials to balance translucency, strength, and conservative preparation when appropriate. Discussion during treatment planning helps match the material to functional demands and cosmetic expectations.

Ceramic crowns are versatile and can be used in both the anterior and posterior regions, but material selection is crucial to match functional and esthetic needs. For front teeth, highly esthetic ceramics such as layered lithium disilicate or leucite-reinforced porcelains recreate natural translucency and color gradations. For back teeth where biting forces are greater, monolithic or high-strength zirconia may be preferred to resist fracture while maintaining acceptable appearance.

Your dentist will evaluate occlusal forces, the amount of remaining tooth structure, and how much of the crown will be visible when you smile. In many cases a hybrid approach—using a stronger core with esthetic layering—can provide a good compromise between durability and appearance. The goal is to select a material and design that restore function without sacrificing a natural look.

Caring for a ceramic crown is similar to caring for natural teeth and focuses on daily hygiene and routine dental visits. Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste, and floss daily to prevent plaque buildup at the crown margins where recurrent decay can develop. Maintaining a balanced diet and avoiding habitually biting on very hard objects helps reduce the risk of chipping or undue stress on the restoration.

Regular professional exams and cleanings allow the dentist to monitor crown integrity, contacts, and gum health around the restoration. If you have bruxism or other functional concerns, the practice may recommend a night guard to protect both crowns and natural teeth. Promptly report any new sensitivity, looseness, or changes in bite so adjustments or interventions can be made early.

Ceramic crowns can last many years when designed appropriately and cared for diligently, but longevity varies based on several factors. Material choice, the quality of tooth preparation, the precision of fit, occlusal forces, and oral hygiene all influence service life. Habits such as clenching, grinding, or using teeth to open objects can shorten a crown’s lifespan by increasing wear or risk of fracture.

Regular dental follow-up, attention to occlusion, and protective measures like night guards help extend the functional life of a crown. The dentist also evaluates surrounding tissues and the integrity of margins at routine visits to detect early issues such as recurrent decay. Timely maintenance and conservative repairs when needed help preserve both the restoration and the underlying tooth structure.

Ceramic crowns are metal-free and generally offer superior esthetics because they avoid the dark margins sometimes visible with porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) restorations. All-ceramic systems can better mimic the translucency and light reflection of natural enamel, making them preferable for highly visible teeth. PFMs, however, historically provided a strong interface between a metal substructure and porcelain veneer, which in some high-stress situations offered durable performance.

Advances in ceramic technology have closed much of the strength gap that once favored PFMs, and many clinicians now choose metal-free options for both esthetic and biocompatibility reasons. The best choice depends on functional demands, the amount of remaining tooth, and esthetic priorities. Your dentist will discuss the tradeoffs and recommend the material that best suits your specific clinical situation.

When tooth damage is limited, more conservative restorations such as inlays, onlays, or porcelain veneers may preserve more natural tooth structure while restoring form and appearance. Direct composite restorations can be suitable for small to moderate defects and offer a conservative, single-visit option in some cases. For teeth that are unrestorable, options include extraction followed by implant-supported restorations or bridgework to replace the missing tooth.

The appropriate alternative depends on how much healthy tooth remains, the tooth’s functional demands, and the long-term prognosis for the tooth. Dentists evaluate structural stability, esthetic goals, and the potential need for future treatment before recommending a conservative or comprehensive approach. Shared decision-making ensures the selected treatment aligns with clinical needs and patient preferences.

After crown placement, many patients experience mild sensitivity or slight soreness that resolves within a few days as surrounding tissues adapt to the restoration. You should avoid chewing excessively hard or sticky foods on a newly cemented crown until the adhesive has fully set and you feel comfortable. Over-the-counter analgesics and gentle oral care are usually sufficient for short-term discomfort, but prolonged pain or persistent sensitivity should be evaluated.

If you notice a loose crown, a significant change in your bite, persistent pain, swelling, or signs of infection, contact the office promptly for assessment. For patients at the office of Nova Dental in North Haven and Cromwell, the clinical team will arrange a timely follow-up to address fit, occlusion, or any concerns. Early attention to issues helps protect the restoration and the underlying tooth.