In the past, crowns were made of gold, metal, or porcelain bonded over metal. Advances in porcelain systems now allow us to make metal-free crowns. These crowns are beautiful and strong at the same time. Unlike metal or porcelain fused to metal crowns, metal-free crowns can be chemically bonded to the tooth, which means these crowns are much less likely to become loose.
At Legacy Dental, we use the most advanced technology to make your porcelain crown and bond it the same day we prepare your tooth. This means in many cases a temporary crown isn’t even necessary!
Why Metal-Free Crowns Are The Modern Standard
The shift away from metal-based crowns is not simply an aesthetic preference. It represents a meaningful advancement in how dentistry protects and restores teeth for the long term. Metal and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, while durable, come with limitations that modern all-porcelain systems have effectively eliminated:
- Metal crowns can expand and contract with temperature changes, creating microscopic gaps that allow bacteria to penetrate over time
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns can show a dark line at the gumline, as gums naturally recede with age
- Metal-based restorations rely on mechanical retention rather than chemical bonding, making them more susceptible to loosening
- All-porcelain crowns transmit light the way natural teeth do, creating a result that is virtually indistinguishable from the surrounding dentition
At Legacy Dental, metal-free crowns are the standard because they represent the best combination of strength, aesthetics, and long-term reliability available in modern dentistry.
When A Porcelain Crown May Be Recommended
Crowns serve an important protective and restorative function for teeth that have been compromised in some way. Dr. Semerad, Dr. Larsen, and Dr. Snyder may recommend a porcelain crown when:
- A tooth has been weakened by extensive decay that cannot be adequately restored with a filling
- A tooth has cracked or fractured and requires full coverage to prevent further damage
- A tooth has undergone root canal therapy and needs protection to restore full function
- An existing crown has failed or deteriorated and requires replacement
- A dental implant restoration requires a natural-looking, durable final crown
Every recommendation at Legacy Dental is made conservatively and with your long-term oral health as the priority. If a crown is recommended, it is because it is genuinely the right solution for your tooth.
What To Expect During Your Crown Appointment
Thanks to our advanced in-office technology, the crown process at Legacy Dental is streamlined, precise, and in many cases completed in a single visit. Your doctor will prepare the tooth, take a digital scan, and design your custom crown using the latest CAD/CAM technology. The result is a crown milled to precise specifications, chemically bonded to your tooth, and ready the same day in many cases. No uncomfortable temporary crown, no second appointment, and no waiting.
If you are in Omaha, NE, and have been told you may need a crown, or if you have an existing restoration that is due for evaluation, Legacy Dental is here to help. Call our office or book your appointment online today and let Dr. Semerad, Dr. Larsen, and Dr. Snyder restore your smile with the strength and precision it deserves.
