Which Types of Dental Crowns Are Best?

When dental crowns are part of your dental treatment plan, how do you choose which are best for you? Crowns vary according to color, material, and price. Once you have all the information, you can plan which type of dental crown will be best. 

6 Types of Dental Crowns

If you’re concerned about whether or not the crown will blend with the rest of your smile or the price, it’s essential to know the types of dental crowns first to know what is best for your smile.

Here are the different types of crowns: 

1. Metal

Metal crowns are the strongest, as they never chip, break down, or crumble. You can choose a gold crown, nickel, or palladium. They last the longest and can withstand chewing and biting more than any other type of crown. 

Take note that the drawback to a gold crown is the color. People often choose metal crowns for teeth far from the back of their mouth. But, even then, the contrast in color is too much for most patients. 

2. Porcelain

Porcelain crowns blend the most with the rest of your teeth. The material is sturdy and strong, not susceptible to chipping or deteriorating over time. With porcelain crowns, the dentist can seamlessly match your tooth’s color. 

Porcelain crowns can be on the higher end of crown prices. However, if the budget is a big issue for you, other options may be more appealing. 

3. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal

Porcelain-fused-to-metal is an excellent option for choosing a sturdy crown with great aesthetics that is good for the wallet. The metal structure means the height is the strongest material. And the outer porcelain shell looks just like your other teeth. 

This combination option can come out much cheaper than a full porcelain crown. But there is a downside. Because of the metal composition, your gums can appear gray at the tooth’s site. Sometimes, the metal shows through as a dark line at the top of the tooth. 

4. Zirconia

Zirconia is a new crown material, as it’s durable like metal. In fact, Zirconia is so strong that it may change the shape of the teeth it bites down on. So watch for changes in your other teeth when you have a zirconia crown.

Zirconia can be made quickly in-office and are often a cheaper option. The translucent material can be layered to appear like a porcelain crown. You can add a porcelain veneer to the zirconia crown for optimal aesthetics. The material will not chip or change shape with time. 

5. E-MAX Lithium Disilicate

This all-ceramic crown is made from lithium disilicate. The new material is used for crowns in the front and back of your mouth with excellent results. They can be durable and long-lasting. The aesthetics are beautiful for your sparkling smile. 

This new material may be more expensive, depending on your dentist. Also, when used for multiple teeth in the back of the mouth, they have been reported not to hold up compared to porcelain or metal crowns. 

6. Ceramic Same-Day Crowns

Traditionally, the process of getting a crown is divided into two appointments. The first appointment is when the dentist gets the mold for the crown. And then you wait as the crown is built in a lab. However, your dentist may have access to same-day crowns. 

When you choose a same-day crown, the office uses digital technology to take a picture and construct the mold for your crown. Then the crown is built in-office using a CEREC machine. These crowns are made of ceramic and are less durable than porcelain crowns. Choose same-day crowns when you are leaving town for a wedding or work event or when it is most convenient for you. 

When Do You Need a Crown? 

You may read this article thinking you’ll never need a crown. But even if you brush and floss twice daily, the need for a crown can come up unexpectedly. Here are some instances where you would need a crown: 

• A chipped tooth from a fall or sporting accident.
• A cracked tooth from biting into something hard, like a jawbreaker.
• Tooth decay in hard-to-reach places.
• To place over an implant.
• For a dental bridge.
• To protect a tooth after a root canal.
• For cosmetic dentistry, to restore the structure of a tooth that thinned or changed shape with age.

You never know when you might need a crown. Learning about each crown will help you feel prepared when the issue arises.