Porcelain Crowns

A crown, or cap, is a tooth-like shell bonded over a carefully prepared existing tooth. Used to strengthen, restore or improve the appearance of your natural tooth, a crown is fitted on the individual tooth much like a thimble over a finger. A crown is usually required when a tooth has been extensively weakened or restored, or when a tooth is cracked or broken. Crowns are usually placed on teeth where there is no longer sufficient tooth structure to support a filling.

Conventional crowns are made of porcelain, fused to a metal substructure. The latest advances in cosmetic dental materials have been made in the development of metal-free, ceramic crowns. The absence of metal allows for the construction of highly aesthetic, translucent crowns that imitate the characteristics of a natural tooth perfectly. Well constructed and accurately fitting crowns can last several years.

Although traditional crowns have served as definitive restorations in the past, Dr Lazaris has virtually abandoned their use in his practice in favour of more conservative treatment options such as bonded porcelain veneers and overlays as part of his Biomimetic philosophy of dental treatment.

By their very nature, crowns require substantial reduction in tooth structure and can cause considerable damage to the dental tissues including the pulp (nerve). The reality is that conventional crowns are not very-technically demanding procedures and are often favoured by dentists as an easier treatment solution to badly damaged teeth. Against this trend, Dr Lazaris has incorporated innovative cutting-edge techniques in his daily practice as alternatives that are kinder to teeth, highly durable and highly aesthetic. Dr Lazaris believes that the current standard of care is to use crowns only for the replacement of pre-existing failed crowns, for restoration of dental implants or as a last resort for very badly damaged teeth.

Crowns require substantial reduction of sound or healthy tooth structure (up to 75%) in order to achieve the required strength and retention for the restoration. Paradoxically, this causes a commensurate weakening of the underlying tooth. Conversely, bonded porcelain restorations require minimal tooth reduction and are incredibly strong in very thin sections when bonded to the preserved tooth.

Dr Lazaris’ meticulous approach involves careful and minimal preparation of the tooth and accurate impressions that are sent to his laboratory technician who hand crafts the porcelain crown on an extremely tough ceramic core. The strength of these crowns easily exceed that of natural teeth and the appearance is completely natural. A temporary crown is placed in order to protect the tooth whilst the porcelain crown is fabricated, and approximately 3 weeks later, the final porcelain crown is tried in for a final assessment by Dr Lazaris, who checks for precision fit, and aesthetic harmony with the surrounding natural teeth. Only when Dr Lazaris is satisfied, and upon the patient’s approval, the crown(s) are carefully bonded in place to create naturally beautiful restored teeth.

The preparation, fabrication and fitting of our bonded crowns is extremely labour intensive because the success of the restoration is highly dependent on microscopic accuracy of fit, a meticulous bonding protocol to prevent leakage and exclude oral bacteria, and recreating life-like aesthetics.

• His advanced clinical skills and knowledge, attention to detail in every aspect of diagnosis, treatment planning and execution will ensure that you will receive the most appropriate restoration for your individual condition.
• Having completed thousands of crowns and extensive postgraduate study in this field, Dr Lazaris has amassed extraordinary intellectual property, clinical expertise and artistry that consistently achieve beautiful results for all our clients.
• Dr Lazaris will happily explore treatment alternatives to crowns with a view to preserving maximum tooth structure and protecting your teeth from unnecessarily aggressive treatment.

Dr Lazaris is one of the most reputable dentists in Sydney for porcelain crown treatment and alternatives. From his boutique office located conveniently in the heart of the Sydney CBD, his focus on patient comfort, beautiful results and treatment longevity make him one of the most renowned general and cosmetic dentists in Sydney.

Contact us today for more information about porcelain crowns and alternatives!

Porcelain crowns are crowns made from porcelain that encapsulate the entire tooth, restoring the tooth to its natural shape and size. Porcelain crowns tend to provide a more natural look compared to other varieties.

Dental crowns and dental caps are the exact same thing. Rather, these are just different terms to describe the same procedure. Technically, ‘cap’ is a layman term, whereas ‘crown’ is the more technical term.

Clinical research indicates extremely high survival rates of over 90% at 10 years and 80% at 20 years when strict clinical protocols are adhered to and these figures have been reflected in our clinical practice. The factors limiting the long term success of crowns include:

• Operator experience and technical skill
• The volume and condition of underlying tooth substrate
• Maintenance
• Grinding

More often than not, the major cause of failure is secondary decay, so regular check ups and xrays are recommended.

Crowns, like teeth, can become stained. Generally, this happens over time. This staining is also usually less obvious than on natural teeth.

Sometimes, a porcelain crown may chip. For small chips it is easy to repair. For a larger chip, the entire crown may need to be replaced. Further, after a small chip has taken place, eventually, a full replacement will be needed.

For porcelain crown procedures, you should not feel any pain. Many patients report only mild discomfort. At Sydney Cosmetic Dentist, we are experts when it comes to dental crowns in Sydney. Contact us today and book your appointment.