Phoenix Patient Asks, “Who Is the Best Candidate for a Dental Crown or Caps?”

Porcelain dental crowns, also referred to as “caps,” are versatile and sturdy treatments that resolve a number of tooth and oral health issues. Some of the uses for a natural-looking dental crown are:

• Covering an unsightly tooth for cosmetic reasons
• Complete dental implant treatment
• Changing the appearance of the shape or color of a tooth
• Anchoring a dental bridge
• Protecting a tooth that has been significantly weakened by decay
• Holding a cracked tooth together
• Supporting a tooth that has experienced excessive wear
• Protecting and covering a filling so large that it has replaced most of the tooth

Traditionally, dental crowns may be made of a variety of materials, including stainless steel (for temporary treatment), metals such as gold, palladium, chromium, or nickel alloys, metal-and-porcelain, resin, ceramic, or all porcelain. At Biltmore Dental Center in Phoenix, Dr. Frost, our award-winning doctor of dental surgery (DDS) prefers to use aesthetically appealing and durable porcelain for our patients. We believe that porcelain is an ideal material for dental restorations, particularly dental crowns, because:

• Metal-free restorations blend naturally with surrounding teeth and limit the risk of metal absorption over time
• Porcelain has many of the same characteristics as the natural tooth enamel, such as light-reflection, reaction to heat and cold, and stain-resistance
• Dental crowns may be custom-designed in our office in one visit, using our advanced CEREC technology

Cerec Same Day Technology

CEREC is an acronym for CEramic REConstruction. The technology uses progressive computer-aided design and manufacturing, along with 3-dimensional imaging and milling, it was developed in the early 1980s. Today, nearly 40,000 dentists around the world have embraced the technology, achieving optimal outcomes and greater patient satisfaction and convenience. With the 3D imaging and viewing, Dr. Frost and the patient can both see and adjust the virtual models of the crown prior to the procedure. The best color and shape of the crown are selected and the precise software sends the design to our in-house milling equipment. High quality ceramic is then carved to those exact specifications while the patient relaxes in our office.

To learn more about smile restoration with dental crowns, call us today at (602) 704-0659.