Types of dental crowns

In dentistry, a crown can be either the portion of the natural tooth that protrudes visibly from the gum line in an unmodified tooth or a term used for synthetically crafted tooth used to cover a weakened existing tooth.

Artificially crafted dental crowns are natural-looking, tooth-shaped caps that cover a damaged or missing tooth. Dentists recommend when your tooth is damaged or broken down so much that a filling will not be sufficient. Dental crowns are one of the most reliable solutions for major dental problems that have resulted in a damaged or missing tooth.

Types of Dental Crowns

Different methods of crown restoration are available, each using a different crown material.

Different types of crown material include:

• Gold crowns
• All Porcelain Crowns
• Porcelain Fused-to-Metal Crowns (PFM)
• Zirconia Crowns 
• E- MAX: Lithium Disilicate Crowns
• Base metal alloy crowns

Gold crowns 

Gold crowns, known for their strength and durability, are a combination of copper and other metals, such as nickel or chromium. Gold crowns are not a popular choice because of its color and aesthetics, but some dentists may recommend it for back restorations depending on each patient’s needs.

Advantages of gold crowns:

• They are strong and highly resistant
• They are durable
• Less proportion of your natural tooth needs to be removed for fixing a gold crown
• Gold crowns wear down very slowly, just like the natural enamel
• They are suitable for posterior restorations

2.  All Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns made of porcelain material is the most popular type of crown now.

Advantages of Porcelain crowns:

• They match your natural teeth in color, size, and shape and provide the most natural look.
• They are the best option for front teeth restorations.
• They are biocompatible.

3.  Porcelain Fused-to-Metal Crowns (PFM)

Here, as the name suggests, porcelain and metal are fused, offering the benefits of both. Due to the metal structure, they provide strength, and due to the porcelain coat that covers the cap, they provide aesthetics.

Advantages of PFM crowns:

• They provide great aesthetics
• They are durable and work well
• They are cheaper than all-porcelain crowns

4.  Zirconia Crowns

Zirconium is a new material used to make crowns and have become popular lately. They combine the strength of metal with the aesthetics of porcelain crowns. 

Advantages of zirconia crowns:

• They provide great aesthetics
• They are strong and durable
• Since zirconia can be cut and shaped by the dentist in the same dental hospital without sending it to a dental lab, the process can be less time-consuming.
• They are less likely to wear down due to their strength.
• They are biocompatible and are not expected to cause allergic reactions.

5. E- MAX: Lithium Disilicate Crowns

E- MAX is an all-ceramic crown made of lithium disilicate.  

 Advantages of E-max crowns:

• Great aesthetics.
• They are durable and strong.
• They provide a great choice both for front and back teeth. 

6. Base metal alloy crowns

Base metal alloy crowns are composed of non-noble metals that can resist corrosion, creating a durable crown. Stainless steel or aluminum is used for temporary crowns, whereas nickel, chromium, or iron is used for permanent crowns.

Advantages of base metal alloy crowns:

• These are a good match for less visible molars.
• Affordable rates

To know more about dental crowns and plan your treatment, call us at (925) 847-8790 or schedule an appointment online.