San Juan Capistrano residents benefit from advances in porcelain and dental crowns

In the past, crowns were typically made of gold. It was an ideal material in many ways, because it is biocompatible and durable enough to withstand biting forces. However, in this day and age few people want gold dental restorations. Aside from the cost of gold at today's prices, there is the issue of appearance. This is the era of cosmetic dentistry, when every chip, stain, or misshapen tooth stands out in the crowd of beautiful smiles. No one wants their crowns to look like crowns. Today, we have a beautiful, healthy solution thanks to advances in dental porcelain.

What is porcelain? Ceramic is a broad category of materials, ranging from highly porous glass to non-porous glass. Porcelain is an especially beautiful type of ceramic, with a fine, smooth surface. It has a translucency somewhere between that of transparent glass and opaque clay. It has been valued since ancient times for its beauty and functionality, often used for ornate kitchenware.

The evolution of dental porcelain

The pioneers of cosmetic dentistry quickly recognized the similarities between porcelain and tooth enamel, such as color, opalescence, semi-translucency, and light reflectivity. It is also very hard, wear-resistant, and stain-resistant. However, traditional porcelain was quite brittle, similar to glass, so its initial uses in dentistry were limited to low-stress applications. Over the years, researchers have refined the temperature, technique, and ingredients to develop high strength porcelains, much like the advances that led to bulletproof glass.

The evolution of dental crowns

High-strength porcelain quickly became a favorite material of dentists and patients alike. Impressions along with other data were sent to a laboratory, where the crown was sculpted. The process has been updated, streamlined, and improved with advanced technology. In modern dental offices, optical impressions have replaced trays, and crowns are designed using three-dimensional CAD software. Rather than waiting for a laboratory, the crown is created in the dental office, using a milling machine (CEREC) that replicates the 3D design.

If you want to enjoy the benefits of modern, high-tech dentistry, call 949-427-2096 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Nina or Alex Basti.