A dental crown is one of the most popular cosmetic or dental restorations. They strengthen broken, cracked, or decayed teeth. Dentists recommend dental crowns for different reasons, but you will be surprised to discover that crowns differ in many ways, including cost and appearance.
This article focuses on the different materials used in making dental crowns, which will guide you when choosing the most suitable material for your smile.
The following are the types of materials used for making dental crowns:
The gold alloy used to be the most popular crown material, before the introduction of other materials. Since pure gold is not strong enough, dental labs use alloy. The gold alloy has many advantages over other types of dental crown materials. Gold is malleable and does not need to be thick to provide support. Only a small part of the enamel is shaved for placement. They are also highly durable and less likely to cause irritation to the mouth tissues.
The only drawback of gold crowns is the appearance – they are more suitable for back teeth where they are less visible.
No other material is comparable to porcelain for achieving cosmetic restorations. Porcelain has the translucence of natural teeth. The material is fully customizable to match the shape and size of the original teeth. Porcelain is strong, and it will take a forceful bite to damage the crown. It also decreases teeth sensitivity and makes it convenient to enjoy cold and hot meals alike.
The drawback of porcelain is that it is somewhat harder than the natural enamel, which means that it may cause minor damages to the nearby teeth when chewing or grinding the teeth. A porcelain crown is not ideal for patients who grind or clench their teeth. They are also thicker than gold alloys, which means a good part of the original tooth structure will be shaved off for placement.
These crowns are produced by fusing metal with porcelain. This concept is to combine the appeal of porcelain with the strength of metal alloys – usually gold. The lower layer of the crown is made of gold, and the upper layer is made with porcelain. Thus removing the unsightliness of full gold crown.
This crown is highly durable but has its drawbacks. The metal layer underneath can discolor the gum line and make it appear dark or greyish. The gold layer also removes the translucency of the crown. This combination, however, is suitable for patients struggling with teeth grinding but do not want an all-gold crown.
Zirconia-based crowns solve the problem posed by gold and porcelain crowns. Derived from the metal zirconia, this crown copies the properties of ceramic. It is incredibly strong and provides a solid base for a porcelain finish. They are fully customizable to look like the real tooth, so much it will be hard to tell the difference.
This type of material is the least expensive option available for making crowns. They are not so durable and have to be replaced regularly. Composite resin crowns are more ideal for creating temporary crowns before the permanent crown is ready.
If the dentist has recommended getting a dental crown, discuss with them to know the material that they will use and what is needed from you to ensure a successful procedure.
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