Dental Crown Materials Compared

Porcelain and Ceramic Crowns

If looking good is what matters most to you porcelain and ceramic crowns are hard to miss. They can be made to match the color of your teeth so they are great for teeth that are visible when you smile.

Ceramic feels very natural once you get used to it. There is no metal color near the gum line. For a tooth I would suggest an all-ceramic option if your dentist says the tooth can handle it. You don’t want a gray edge showing in your smile years down the line.

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia is the one. It is a type of ceramic. It is made to handle a lot of chewing pressure, which is why dentists often choose it for molars and other teeth that get a lot of use.

Modern zirconia crowns can look very nice too. Older ones used to look more cloudy but newer versions have clarity. Still if your main goal is the realistic look possible on a front tooth your dentist might talk about another ceramic option.

Metal and Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns

Metal crowns have been around for a time because they work well. Gold alloys are very strong. Are usually kind to other teeth although the color makes them obvious.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are in the middle of strong and tooth-colored. A metal base gives support while porcelain covers the part.. Over time the porcelain can break. Some people also see a line near the gum.

So Which Material Is Right for You?

• If the front tooth and how it looks is the important? Ceramic is usually a choice especially when matching the color of nearby teeth is the key.

• Zirconia is the choice for strength especially when the crown has to deal with a lot of chewing.

• Gold has a different look but its strength is a big reason it is still used in modern dentistry.

• Porcelain-fused-to-metal has a track record. The metal base can show near the gum line.

• The dentists opinion matters more than the name of the material on the page because the condition and position of your tooth change the choice.

The Material Isn’t Everything

A great crown material won’t fix a fit. The shape of the tooth is important. So is your bite. Your dentist also has to think about how much healthy tooth’s left and if you grind your teeth at night.

That is why two people with damaged teeth can end up with different crowns. One might need something made for chewing. Another might benefit from a natural-looking ceramic restoration.

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