Materials for dental crowns : When it comes to dental crowns, what makes one material better than another? You’ve probably seen different options in your dentist’s office, including gold, porcelain and even metal-free ceramic or composite materials. If you’re wondering which one is best, the answer might surprise you!
Zirconia
Zirconia dental crowns are made of synthetic materials, which can last up to 25 years. They’re a more durable choice than traditional crowns, which can wear down over time. Zirconia crowns also have one distinct advantage: they mimic your natural teeth and blend right in with your smile. Because of these qualities, Zirconia has become an increasingly popular choice among patients who are looking for dental crown alternatives that don’t stand out against their natural teeth.
Zirconia crowns cost less than other materials. The downside: they need regular surface treatments to maintain their color and shape over time, adding cost when compared to all-porcelain or all-metal alternatives.
Porcelain
Porcelain is a popular choice because it’s extremely durable and tooth-colored, which makes it difficult to spot. Unfortunately, that can also mean porcelain crowns can be very expensive. Porcelain materials are also more likely to cause allergic reactions than other materials—but those reactions aren’t generally serious, and they don’t happen often. If you have an allergy or sensitivity to metal or fluoride, however, porcelain may not be your best option.
But even if that’s true, there are still plenty of options for you. For example, dentists commonly recommend composite resin materials like glass ionomer cement (GIC) and resin modified glass ionomer (RMGIC). Both materials feel natural when biting down on them and they won’t stain over time like some other resin materials might. They’re less expensive than porcelain and look great on teeth with moderate to heavy wear. – Gold: Most people consider gold to be a good material for dental crowns—and in many cases, they’re right! But only certain types of teeth work well with gold dental crowns; if you’re looking at getting one made out of gold, make sure your dentist knows what he’s doing.
Ceramic
Just as strong as porcelain, but cheaper and more affordable. Not as hard or chemically resistant as porcelain, so not ideal for restorations in areas that might be susceptible to erosion (such as biting surfaces or any part of a restoration that might come into contact with acidic foods). Commonly used for bonding to damaged tooth structure prior to placing a crown. – Porcelain-fused-to-metal: Also known by its acronym: PFM, it’s similar to ceramic but fused with metal alloys and can therefore be more durable. Can also better withstand acidic foods than ceramic because it has stronger enamel-like properties.
Composite Resin
This material can be matched perfectly to your natural tooth color, so it’s a great choice if you want a more natural appearance. Composite resin crowns also tend to be less expensive than porcelain, so they may be an option if you’re on a budget. A downside of composite resin is that over time, as your teeth naturally re-mineralize and develop microfractures and cracks, these imperfections may be visible through your new crown. This isn’t necessarily a deal breaker; just remember that with dental crowns, you may need some periodic re-crowning as your teeth continue to change with age.
Metal Alloy
This material makes a good choice for dental crowns because it’s durable and will last a long time. However, metal alloy crowns are not always cosmetically appealing due to discoloration that occurs over time. The presence of metal in your mouth also has aesthetic drawbacks. Make sure you have a dentist who’s an expert at fitting dental crowns made from metal alloy. Otherwise, you could end up with fit problems or tooth sensitivity issues as a result of improper placement of your new crown. – Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal: This type of dental crown was introduced many years ago, but they’ve fallen out of favor due to aesthetics and their tendency to break down over time.
