Dental Crown Materials: Choosing the Right Type for Your Restorative Needs
Dental crowns offer a reliable solution for restoring the look and function of a damaged tooth. They also have a long survival rate, with 95 percent lasting at least five years and 50 to 80 percent lasting 15 to 20 years.
While there are many aspects to consider when getting a crown, the material is amongst the most important. Dental crowns are available in various materials, such as porcelain, fused to metal, and total gold. Which is right for you will depend on your gum health, budget, aesthetic preferences, and similar factors.
Let’s compare the most common dental crown materials and how each can meet your restorative needs.
Rebuilding a Damaged Tooth with a Dental Crown
A dental crown acts as a protective cap on your tooth, making it an effective solution for restoring a tooth damaged by decay, an accident, or illness. How long your crown lasts once placed will partially depend on what material you choose. Some of the most common crown materials include:
All Porcelain Crown
Porcelain is one of the most popular material choices for dental crowns. This durable material offers a natural and translucent appearance that effortlessly blends with your existing teeth. All porcelain crowns may be recommended in various scenarios, such as if the patient is sensitive to metals or desires a restoration that looks completely natural. Porcelain crowns can also provide other benefits, such as the ability to change the shape or appearance of a tooth. For example, if a gap between two teeth or the tooth is too small, a crown can change its size or look.
Porcelain Fused to Metal
Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) is a type of restoration known for its strength coupled with the natural look of porcelain. PFMs typically contain a metal substructure made of an alloy, such as nickel, chromium, or gold, covered with an aesthetic layer of porcelain. Like all porcelain crowns, PFMs can be customized to match the shade of your existing teeth for a seamless look. While all-porcelain crowns are recommended for front teeth restorations, porcelain fused to metal crowns effectively restores teeth.
Full Gold Crown
Despite the name, a full gold crown is generally made from a combination of gold, copper, and other metals. These restorations are known to be extremely strong and durable, making them best suited for people in need of extensive repair due to fractures, decay, or other structural damage. They are especially useful for restoring damaged molars and premolars, which experience the most significant impact from chewing. The biggest drawback to full gold crowns is their appearance. Gold crowns have a yellowish metallic look, which does not appear as natural as all porcelain and PFM dental crowns.
What to Consider When Choosing a Crown Material
When choosing a material for your dental crown, speaking with your Melbourne, FL dentist about your desired outcome is essential. Your chosen material will significantly influence your restoration’s look, comfort, cost, and longevity.
When comparing your options, consider appearance. Decide if you would prefer the superior aesthetics of a full porcelain crown or the strength of a full gold crown. Porcelain fused to metal offers the best of both worlds but is generally recommended for only the back teeth.
Next, consider the durability of the material. Choose a material that can withstand biting and chewing forces. Metal crowns are known for their strength and durability. However, metal-free crowns, such as porcelain, can provide greater comfort as they are less likely to cause allergic reactions.
Trust Artistic Touch Dentistry for Your Restoration
Your Melbourne, Florida, dentist may recommend a dental crown if you have a broken tooth, a large filling, a root canal, a cavity under an existing filling, or cracked tooth syndrome. At Artistic Touch Dentistry, we offer multiple dental crowns, including all porcelain crowns, porcelain fused to metal crowns, and full gold crowns. Contact our office to learn more about the dental crown procedure or to schedule an appointment.