Tooth-Coloured Dental Crowns Explained

What Is a Tooth-Coloured Crown?

To avoid the unsightly black line sometimes seen around a metal crown, tooth-coloured crowns are made of porcelain and ceramic materials. Some crowns are made of zirconia, a strong but translucent material.

The dentist then prepares the tooth to receive the crown. A shade is selected that matches the colour of the patient’s surrounding teeth. This is actually a very important step, as a crown that doesn’t properly match can be a major eyesore, even if the fit is good.

Why Would You Want One?

Tooth-coloured crowns are a good choice for restoring teeth that are likely to be seen when smiling. They can definitely be used on back teeth, but porcelain tends to be weaker than metal, and back teeth generally take more stress during chewing.

• A natural appearance, especially if the shade is selected properly.

• No black line along the gumline, which can be a big problem with metal crowns. This also means tooth-coloured crowns are often used for teeth that are normally seen when smiling.

• Crowns made of zirconia have a good amount of strength, and some back teeth crowns are made this way.

How Is It Done?

The dentist will determine if you need a crown. If you have a tooth that has a bad filling that is decaying, or if the tooth has been worn down or broken, you may need a crown to prevent further damage.

Your dentist will remove some of the enamel from the tooth so that the crown will fit snugly over the top of the tooth. Impressions or scans will be made so that a crown can be produced. You will be given a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready.

How Does It Look?

This is actually where your dentist’s skill comes into play. Contrary to popular belief, teeth aren’t just white. Teeth have a natural shade to them, and most people prefer their crowns to look natural, meaning the shade has to be picked carefully.

Are They Worth It?

Personally, I would always go for a tooth-coloured crown over a metal one, assuming that the situation allows for it. After all, the point of a crown is to restore the tooth, and not draw attention to itself. I can’t stand metal crowns on people’s front teeth, personally.

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