Understanding Different Types Of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can be made from one of several material types. This variety enables you to enjoy a crown that conforms to your needs, as they relate to appearance and function. The benefits of each type can vary. Some crowns have a more tooth-like appearance, while others can withstand greater bite pressures. The right choice for your needs can depend on where the crown will be placed in your mouth. A more visible crown might demand a more natural appearance, while a tooth towards the back of your mouth may need extra support from a stronger material type.

What A Dental Crown Does For Your Teeth

A dental crown is intended to protect a tooth that is no longer strong enough to operate without support. They are commonly used to restore a tooth after a cavity, when a tooth filling is not strong enough to support the tooth. Dental crowns often protect teeth that have undergone root canal treatments.

All-Ceramic Dental Crowns

An all-ceramic dental crown is the best facsimile of a natural tooth. The ceramic material can be molded in the proper tooth shape, and its appearance is similar to your enamel.

Metal Dental Crowns

A metal crown, made with gold alloy, offers greater durability. This makes them more ideal for your molars and premolars, which undergo more stress from chewing. However, its metallic appearance can clash with your smile, and it is less cosmetically pleasing.

Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal Dental Crowns

A porcelain-fused-to-metal crown is essentially a hybrid of the metal and ceramic crowns. The surface is coated with porcelain, to improve its appearance, but the additional of metal makes it stronger than a typical ceramic crown.