Yeomchang-dong Dental Clinic: The Crown I Had Treated Before Has Broken

The outer surface of a tooth is made up of

the hardest tissue in the human body,

but repeated exposure to strong forces

or the aging process over time

can cause damage.

In particular, areas that previously underwent

root canal treatment and full-coverage

prosthetic treatment due to extensive decay

or tooth damage may experience

various changes over time.

The prosthesis itself may also

partially break or develop cracks

after accumulating microscopic impacts

over many years of eating.

In addition, as we age,

gum recession may naturally occur,

in which the gum tissue surrounding the teeth

gradually moves downward.

When the gums recede,

the boundary where the previously treated

prosthesis meets the gums becomes visible.

This may expose the underlying tooth

or reveal a dark margin,

creating an aesthetically undesirable appearance.

When a prosthesis on a front tooth is damaged

or the margin becomes exposed in this way,

it can cause considerable aesthetic stress.

Therefore, the oral condition should be

carefully examined and appropriate measures taken.

Front teeth play the functional role

of cutting food,

but because they are the first area

visible to others,

they also have a very important

aesthetic role.

Therefore, when a problem develops

in the front teeth and treatment must be performed again,

the harmony with the surrounding

natural teeth must be carefully considered.

Tooth color is not made up of

a single tone alone.

Transparency, value, and saturation

work together in combination,

so technology that can reproduce these features

accurately is needed.

In the past, prostheses made by using

porcelain material internally and

baking additional powder onto the outer surface

were often used to improve aesthetics.

However, their relatively lower strength

made them prone to breaking upon impact.

More recently, to address these shortcomings,

strong materials made by milling

a solid block are used,

along with precise coloring of the outer surface,

allowing both strength and aesthetics

to be achieved.

Because methods of restoring the aesthetics

of the front teeth vary considerably

depending on the material and fabrication method,

it is essential to visit a dental clinic,

receive an accurate diagnosis,

and establish a treatment plan

that is most appropriate for the individual’s

oral environment.

Through the case of a woman in her 40s

who recently visited Yeomchang-dong Dental Clinic,

we will explain in detail

the process of remaking a front-tooth prosthesis

and its importance.

The patient visited Yeomchang-dong Dental Clinic

after part of an upper front-tooth prosthesis

that had previously been treated and placed

became chipped.

After carefully examining the patient’s oral condition

through visual and radiographic examinations,

we confirmed that the edge of the crown prosthesis

that had been placed after previous root canal treatment

had fractured.

In addition, as time passed,

gum recession had progressed,

leaving the margin of the existing prosthesis

exposed.

Fortunately, the abutment tooth beneath the prosthesis

was healthy and well maintained,

without inflammation or additional decay.

Therefore, a treatment plan was established

to remove the existing damaged prosthesis

and fabricate and place a new one.

The patient’s previous prosthesis

was presumed to have been made by layering

porcelain powder over a reinforced ceramic core

to enhance its aesthetic effect.

Although this method can provide a natural appearance,

its relatively lower strength means

there is a risk of refracture.

Therefore, during retreatment,

Yeomchang-dong Dental Clinic selected zirconia,

a material with very high strength,

so that not only aesthetics but also resistance

to future refracture could be considered.

After precisely milling a solid zirconia block,

an additional staining process was performed

to apply subtle color to the outer surface,

with the goal of improving both aesthetics

and durability.

The prosthesis fabrication process

involved careful steps to achieve harmony

with the surrounding teeth.

The first crown prosthesis fabricated

appeared somewhat yellower

when compared with the patient’s surrounding

natural teeth and existing oral environment.

Because even subtle differences in color

can change the overall impression of the front teeth,

our clinic decided to revise the first prosthesis

and proceed with remaking it

to improve the patient’s satisfaction

and the quality of the final result.

The second crown prosthesis completed

after the revision process reproduced

the tooth’s natural color, value, and saturation,

as well as its distinctive transparency,

very similarly to the surrounding natural teeth.

As a result, a natural-looking crown

was successfully fabricated.

Compared with the previous prosthesis,

its likelihood of fracturing was markedly lower,

providing a functionally sturdy result,

and the patient also expressed great satisfaction.

These are photographs taken before and after treatment.

연세그리다치과 remains focused at every moment

on ensuring that both aesthetic beauty

and functional strength are maintained

while treating the oral health concerns

faced by our patients.

In particular, for front-tooth treatment,

where the teeth are most visible to others,

we understand that the color and shape of even one tooth

can have a significant effect on the overall smile.

Accordingly, we carefully review even subtle differences

in the color of each prosthesis

as we provide treatment.

Considering each case once more

from the patient’s perspective,

and treating each one carefully

without overlooking even the smallest detail,

is the value that our clinic pursues in patient care.

Yeomchang-dong Dental Clinic

will honestly recommend only the treatment

most appropriate for each patient’s oral environment

based on an accurate diagnosis.

We promise to devote our utmost care

to every step of treatment

so that patients can maintain

a healthy smile for a long time

even after treatment is complete.

Thank you.

*All case photographs were posted with the consent of the individuals concerned, in accordance with Articles 23 and 56 of the Medical Service Act.

*All treatment photographs are of patients treated at our clinic.

*All treatment photographs are of the same individual and were taken under the same conditions.

*Depending on individual differences, side effects may occur after procedures or surgery. Please consult sufficiently with your medical professionals.