Which Dental Crown Type Should I Choose?

Dental Crown Type: 5 Options to Choose From

UPDATED 11/12/2019. Once you figured that you need a dental crown, the next step is to figure out which dental crown type best fits your needs. This guide attempts to help you in making that decision.

A dental crown, also known as a “cap”, is a lab fabricated restoration aimed at protecting a tooth that is highly decayed or cracked. A tooth crown can either cover a spoiled tooth or be fixed to an implant.

Dental crowns are key in permanent treatments as they are meant to function and look like a natural tooth.

Typically, before getting your permanent crown, you will be taken a mold. Then, your tooth will be reshaped and you will have to wear a temporary crown for just a few days until the final cap is permanently cemented.

Note: some offices offer same-day crowns with technologies such as CEREC, although some dentists claim the quality is not the same as those fabricated in a lab.

Dental crowns include: all-metal, ceramic fused to metal and all-ceramic crowns. Since a crown will play the role of a new tooth, it is crucial to consider some aspects that have to do with strength, aesthetics and adaptability of your gums and nearby teeth.

Looking closer at the different types of crowns may help you decide which one makes the best choice for you.

1. GOLD CROWNS

Usually made of gold, copper and a mix of other metals, gold crowns don’t make a very popular choice due to their color (we generally don’t like a gold tooth to show when we smile).

However, you may need this type of crown for back teeth since they are particularly resistant and strong.

Gold crowns are less likely to break and are a good option if you don’t want so much of your tooth to be removed. As a noble metal, gold is less likely to cause allergic reactions to your gums.

You may also find dentists recommending these types of crowns if you have bruxism, for example, due to their extended durability.

2. PORCELAIN FUSED TO METAL CROWNS

Despite the great strength of gold crowns, you may simply opt for porcelain fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns as they provide both good aesthetics and strength.

PFM crowns have provided excellent results for many years now. They are a mixture of all-metal and all-ceramic crowns: they are made of metal, but covered with a layer of porcelain, making the crown look like a natural tooth.

Like gold crowns, PFM crowns are strong. Unlike gold crowns, they give a natural look and that’s why they are good for both front and back teeth. However, in some cases, if your gums recede, the metal under the porcelain can show a dark grey line on your gums.

And again, if you suffer from bruxism, these crowns may not be recommendable as they may wear the teeth they bite against.

3. ALL-PORCELAIN CROWNS

All-Porcelain crowns are made of all porcelain, looking a lot like a natural tooth due to their translucence. For that reason, they make one of the most attractive types of crowns.

You may opt for all-porcelain crowns for your front teeth if you want to give your smile a whiter and more even look.

The downside: porcelain is much more brittle and that means it might not make the best choice if you suffer from mild to severe bruxism. However, for front restorations, you may care more about aesthetics than strength.

4. ZIRCONIA CROWNS

Advances in dental crowns never stop. Zirconium is a type of metal also known for its strength and durability. It has become very popular for some time now and a great dental crown type to choose from.

This choice has to do with the fact that the material is shaped and cut in a lot less time than traditional crowns (as it is lighter and thinner). This helps you get a shorter treatment.

Also, no metals are involved so chances are that your tissues are not affected. However, this material is not as translucent as porcelain, so your smile may not be as perfect as you want.

5. E- MAX: LITHIUM DISILICATE CROWNS

The newest type of crown in dentistry today is known as E -Max. It is a type of all-ceramic crown made of lithium disilicate (which is also light and thin).

Although they might be more expensive than other crowns, the advantages of E-max crowns are that they look great in your mouth and are much stronger. They are a great choice both for front and back teeth.