What are Partial Crowns?
Partial crowns, often referred to as porcelain onlays, are a type of restoration that covers one or more cusps. A porcelain inlay is similar to an onlay but the work resides completely within the cusps on a tooth’s chewing surface. These restorations are much more conservative than crowns, and can be imperceptible from your natural tooth.
Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns replace the exterior portion of a tooth to re–establish its original function and to create a natural appearance. Crowns are the treatment of choice in situations where tooth decay has destroyed most of the original tooth, when a traumatic event has caused damage, or in cases of severe enamel erosion. They are also an option for people who grind and clench their teeth so much that the original structure of their teeth has been compromised.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are thin, porcelain shells custom-fitted to existing teeth in order to mask discolorations or to lighten the overall shade of teeth. They are also used to make slight modifications of tooth size, shape and position in relation to the surrounding teeth. When veneers are permanently bonded to the front of the tooth using a special adhesive layer, they add strength and durability comparable to natural tooth enamel. They are designed to look and feel natural and complement each person’s composition of eye and hair color, face shape and complexion.
Benefit of Porcelain Restorations
The great benefit to all porcelain restorations is they can not only replicate the original tooth in function, but can be designed to look like the original–or even better.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are interested in how porcelain restorations can improve both your health and your smile, please call Hiebert Smith Dental Group at (503) 397-6144.