In the time and age of modern dentistry, durability, functionality, and esthetics have gained equal importance. In the olden days, dentistry was all about durability and functionality. But with the advent of much new age and modern dental materials, esthetics in dentistry became highly achievable and has gained immense popularity with the advent of ceramics or porcelains into dentistry. What is porcelain? Porcelains are ceramics, and the word ceramics is derived from the Greek word keramos, which means clay. In dentistry, ceramics are used to fabricate tooth-colored crowns, bridges, and veneers. This compound is biocompatible, functional, and esthetic. Different types of dental crowns are used in dentistry. A few of them are: ● All-metal crowns ● Porcelain fused to metal crowns ● All-ceramic crowns All-metal crowns are durable and functional, but not esthetic and cannot be used in esthetic zones. This led to the development of porcelain fused to metal crowns that can be used in esthetic zones. But the drawback of these crowns is porcelain chipping off or fracturing over the metal surface. This led to the development of all-ceramic crowns. All-ceramic crowns or porcelain crowns are entirely made up of esthetic material, and there will not be an unpleasant display of metal structure. Different types of porcelain crowns used in dentistry are: ● Feldspathic crowns ● Zirconia crowns ● Aluminous crowns

Feldspathic crowns: The base component is glass or silicon dioxide. It is a highly esthetic material that was introduced in the 1880s in dentistry. In 1903, Charles Land developed the first all-porcelain jacketed crown. Feldspathic crowns are layered over the pre-built core. Zirconia crowns: Zirconia crowns are widely used in modern dentistry for esthetic crowns. It is the strongest and most dense type of ceramic. The crown is usually milled from a monolithic zirconia block using CAD/CAM technology. The advantage of this is that it is very durable and long-lasting and does not require much tooth structure removal (compared to most ceramic crowns) as the material is very strong in thin sections. However, due to the density of the material, it can be challenging to find the best similarity of the shade and translucency compared to other ceramics. The only disadvantage of these zirconia crowns, when used in posterior teeth, is that they are highly abrasive and can abrade the opposing natural tooth.  Zirconia can also be used for zirconia core-only crowns. They have a core made of zirconia and are layered on top with more esthetic ceramics for translucency. However, they might not be as esthetic as other ceramics due to the dense core of the zirconia, which obstructs the light and affects the translucency that is usually observed in natural teeth. Aluminous crowns: The main component of these aluminous crowns is a porcelain material called alumina. Unlike Zirconia, these crowns are porous and have excellent translucency. So it gained popularity as the best alternative for esthetic zone rehabilitations. It is easily etched and chemically attached to the natural tooth structure. Because of the light reflective nature, it is the closest result to the natural tooth. The standard alumina crowns available in the market are: ● PROCERA ● EMPRESS ● EMAX All these have translucency very close to natural teeth and are currently in use as esthetic crowns because of their biocompatibility, durability, and excellent long-term wear, similar to natural enamel.

Is a porcelain crown good? With the advent of modern biocompatible, esthetic, and durable porcelain, it is safe to say that porcelain crowns are an excellent alternative for metal crowns. With the availability of different materials in the market, you have many options to enhance your smile. Discuss with your dentist about a suitable alternative for you to have a pearly white smile. Do porcelain crowns stain? Porcelain crowns are glazed on the surface before cementation, hence they are stain-resistant initially. However, over a period of time, due to surface abrasions of these crowns, they may start taking up stains. A few reasons for the staining of porcelain crowns are excessive coffee intake, turmeric and other food coloring, and smoking. See your dentist if you observe heavy staining and discuss the causes. How long do porcelain crowns last? Porcelain crowns are very durable and can last around 8-15 years if bonded according to standard protocols. However, the lifespan of a porcelain crown depends upon the tooth preparation and maintenance of the patient. Brushing twice daily and flossing before bed is mandatory, even for porcelain crowns. Discuss the care of these crowns with your dentist before getting porcelain crowns.