Beautiful Smile and Healthy Teeth | Achieving Your Ideal Smile with Ceramic Treatment

Do you have concerns like “I’m bothered by my silver fillings,” “I want to improve the color and shape of my teeth,” or “I want to choose materials that are less prone to cavities”? With growing interest in cosmetic dentistry in recent years, ceramic treatment that combines natural beauty with excellent functionality is gaining attention. At SACHI Dental Clinic in the Mita-Shibakoen area, we propose the optimal ceramic treatment tailored to each patient’s wishes and oral condition.

What is Ceramic Treatment?

Ceramic treatment is a method of restoring areas where teeth have been removed due to cavities with ceramic (porcelain) fillings or crowns. Compared to metals and plastics used in conventional insurance-covered treatments, it offers the following advantages:

• Excellent aesthetics: Can reproduce color tones and transparency close to natural teeth, resulting in a very natural finish.
• High durability: Ceramic is an extremely hard and strong material. With proper care, it can be used for long periods.
• Biocompatibility: Ceramic poses no risk of metal allergies and blends well with gums, making it a body-friendly material.
• Stain-resistant: The smooth surface makes it difficult for plaque and stains to adhere, helping prevent cavities and gum disease.

Due to these benefits, “ceramic cosmetic dentistry” is a highly effective treatment not only for aesthetic beauty but also for maintaining long-term oral health.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Ceramic Treatment

While ceramic treatment has many advantages, disadvantages also exist. It’s important to understand both when choosing treatment.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Beautiful finish with tooth-like color and transparency No discoloration over time No risk of metal allergies Stain-resistant Less prone to cavities Good compatibility with gums	May crack under strong force May not be suitable depending on bite and oral conditions Higher cost than insurance-covered treatments as it’s not covered by insurance

Types of Ceramic Treatment | What’s the Best Material?

At SACHI Dental Clinic, we offer various types of ceramic materials tailored to each patient’s wishes and oral condition.

All-Ceramic (e-max, etc.)

All-ceramic is made entirely of ceramic material. It offers the best aesthetics and can reproduce transparency and natural color tones close to natural teeth. It also has excellent strength and can be used widely from front teeth to molars. Especially recommended for those who prioritize appearance.

• Advantages:
  • Excellent aesthetics
  • Transparency close to natural teeth
  • No risk of metal allergies
  • Minimal discoloration due to aging
• Disadvantages:
  • Higher cost compared to other materials
  • May crack under strong impact

About e-max

e-max, one of the all-ceramic materials we use, is a new ceramic material mainly composed of lithium disilicate glass.
It has higher strength than conventional ceramics and has wear characteristics similar to natural teeth, making it less likely to damage opposing teeth.
It also has high color reproducibility and transparency, making it suitable for treating areas where aesthetics are important, such as front teeth.

Zirconia

Zirconia, also called artificial diamond, is an extremely strong ceramic material. It’s suitable for areas under strong force, such as molars. Recently, transparent types have emerged and are being used for front teeth as well. Recommended for those who prioritize strength and durability.

• Advantages:
  • Extremely high strength
  • Suitable for molar bridges
  • No risk of metal allergies
• Disadvantages:
  • Less transparency compared to all-ceramic
  • May rarely crack depending on bite conditions

Zirconia Ceramic

Zirconia ceramic uses strong zirconia as a frame with ceramic covering the surface. It combines zirconia’s strength with ceramic’s aesthetics.

• Advantages:
  • Very high strength
  • Beautiful appearance
  • No risk of metal allergies
• Disadvantages:
  • Tends to be more expensive than all-ceramic due to complex manufacturing
  • Surface ceramic may chip under strong impact

Hybrid Ceramic

Hybrid ceramic is a material that combines ceramic with resin (dental plastic). It combines ceramic’s beauty with resin’s flexibility. Recommended for those who want white teeth while keeping costs down.

• Advantages:
  • Less expensive than ceramic
  • Relatively soft, less likely to damage surrounding teeth
  • No risk of metal allergies
• Disadvantages:
  • Lower aesthetics and durability compared to all-ceramic or zirconia crowns
  • May discolor over time
  • Water-absorbent, prone to staining

Ceramic Treatment Methods | Inlay, Crown, Laminate Veneer

Ceramic treatment mainly includes the following three methods:

Inlay (Filling)

An inlay is a partial filling placed in areas where cavities have been removed. It’s suitable for treating small cavities or cavities between teeth.

Crown

A crown is a cap used when cavities have progressed significantly requiring extensive tooth removal, or to reinforce teeth after nerve removal. It covers the entire tooth, providing high strength and suitability for molar treatment.

Laminate Veneer

Laminate veneer involves thinly shaving the tooth surface and bonding a thin ceramic shell. It’s suitable for significantly changing tooth color or shape, or correcting mild misalignment. Mainly used to enhance front tooth aesthetics.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is ceramic treatment painful?

Ceramic treatment is performed under local anesthesia when necessary, similar to cavity treatment. Our clinic uses surface anesthesia and electric anesthesia devices to minimize injection pain.

How much does ceramic treatment cost?

Ceramic treatment is not covered by insurance and is a self-pay treatment. Costs vary depending on the type of ceramic used and treatment scope, which we’ll explain in detail during consultation.

How long do ceramics last?

Ceramic lifespan varies depending on the material used, patient’s oral condition, and maintenance, but generally lasts over 10 years. However, they may crack or chip under strong impact, so caution is needed. With regular maintenance and proper care, they can last even longer.

Can ceramics crack?

While ceramic is very hard, it can crack or chip under strong impact. Those with teeth grinding or clenching habits need special attention. We’ll suggest preventive measures like wearing night guards during sleep.

What’s the difference from insurance-covered white fillings?

Insurance-covered white fillings use composite resin, a plastic material. Composite resin has lower strength than ceramic and is more prone to discoloration and wear over time. It’s also water-absorbent, making it more prone to staining and cavity recurrence. Ceramic, however, has high strength, resists discoloration and wear, and repels stains, offering superior aesthetics, durability, and functionality.