Traditionally, crowns and bridges were made with a metal alloy substructure covered up with tooth-coloured porcelains. Some crowns and bridges were made entirely from metal, for example, full gold crowns. Restorations using metals are still quite popular today, but nowadays, we are more likely to provide crowns and bridges that are entirely metal-free here at West Bowmanville Family Dental. These solutions are ideal if you would prefer a metal-free mouth and especially if you want the very best aesthetics.
What are Metal-Free Crowns and Bridges Made From?
Our metal-free crowns and bridges in Newcastle are made from lithium disilicate and zirconia oxide, and we can even fit metal-free dental implants made from zirconia. All-ceramic restorations look beautiful and are resistant to staining, and they are highly biocompatible, which is perfect for anyone concerned about metal allergies or sensitivities. It is even possible to create entire arches of teeth made from a specific type of zirconia. All these restorations are extremely strong, providing you with long-lasting results that you can enjoy for years to come. These materials are all the highest quality and are extensively tested and researched so you can be sure you are getting the very best restorations on the market today.
Metal-Free Crowns Made On-Site
Same-day metal-free crowns are durable and extremely aesthetic, and we can create them on-site using our in-office milling machine. It is a process that is efficient and fast, and it eliminates the need to wear a temporary crown for a couple of weeks or more. Instead, your new crown is ready to fit on the day your tooth is prepared. Initially, our dentist in Clarington will prepare your tooth as usual before it is scanned using our digital impression system, so there is no need for a traditional, uncomfortable tray impression. The digital scan is incredibly accurate, ensuring your new crown is precision-fitted, so that once in the mouth the tooth is entirely sealed. This is important because it ensures disease-causing bacteria cannot easily get underneath the crown which can be the case if a crown isn’t perfectly made. Once completed, the digital scan is used to design your new crown, and the design is sent to the on-site milling machine. The machine uses blocks of pre-shaded ceramic and will soon mill your crown. The crown is then hand-finished and is ready to fit in the mouth.
Crowns and Bridges Made in a Dental Laboratory
On-site crowns are great for many situations, but there are still times when we need to send work to a dental laboratory. Crowns and bridges made in a dental laboratory will take a little time to fabricate but are also precision-made using a digital scan of your mouth. The digital scan is sent to the dental lab and is used to custom-make your new restoration to our exact specifications. Some restorations are made from lithium disilicate and are layered with porcelain. Others are made entirely from zirconia or will have a zirconia substructure that is layered with specialized ceramics to create a natural and extremely life-like translucency. If you clench and grind your teeth, a condition called bruxism, there is a special type of zirconia just for you! It ensures that you will not harm your other teeth whenever you clench and grind and that you can still benefit from beautiful metal-free crowns.
Nowadays, metal-free crowns and bridges are suitable for anywhere in the mouth and are especially good if you are considering a smile makeover in Courtice, or if you have some older restorations that could benefit from being replaced.
