Dental crowns are a popular option for restoring damaged teeth. From ceramic crowns to zirconia, there are a range of options available that provide different benefits and cost considerations depending on your individual needs. Learn more about the types of crowns available and the advantages each one provides.
Metal Dental Crowns
Metal dental crowns are a cost-effective choice for restoring damaged teeth. This type of crown is made of metal such as gold, silver, or stainless steel. The strength of metal makes it an ideal option for protecting teeth. They will never fracture, are very smooth, and by far the least harsh on the opposing dentition. They are the best economical long-term solution. Unfortunately, aesthetics takes priority today and therefore these crowns are not very popular in Western society.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns are a combination of metal and ceramic, so they provide both strength and aesthetics. This type of crown is more expensive than metal. The metal base helps the tooth remain strong, while the porcelain portion ensures a more natural look. PFM crowns are most popularly used to replace molars as they can withstand force from chewing and grinding food. The downside to PFM crowns are that the metal doesn’t allow for light penetration as the root looks dark and therefore as the gingivae recedes over time, a dark line can form under the crown margin which compromises the aesthetics.
All-Ceramic and All Resin Dental Crowns
All-ceramic and all-resin dental crowns are made entirely out of a ceramic material or resin, respectively. These are the most natural-looking crowns available and they can be tinted to match your existing tooth color. Their aesthetic appeal makes these crowns the most popular option today. The downside to these types of crowns is that they can only be used for front or non-load-bearing teeth – meaning they are not best suited for very large molars.
Tooth-Colored Composite Dental Fillings
Tooth-colored composite fillings are made of ceramic and resin and can be used to replace metal amalgam fillings. They are designed to match the color of your teeth so they provide a more natural-looking smile. They last longer than metal amalgam fillings, but they still need to be replaced every 7 to 10 years depending on your oral hygiene. This can be more expensive than other types of dental crowns due to the need for replacement over time as opposed to one-time costs associated with other types of restorations.
Zirconia crowns
Zirconia based crowns are extremely strong. They can therefore be used for bridges and load bearing teeth. Zirconia is a white substrate and therefore a high level of aesthetics can be achieved but not as high as with all ceramic or glass resin crowns. These look very aesthetically pleasing in full rehab but where a single tooth in the aesthetic zone needs to be crowned and the crown must match natural neighboring teeth a full ceramic or glass resin crown will give better aesthetics.
Evaluating the Different Cost Estimations of Dental Crowns
If you’re thinking about getting crowned teeth, the cost is likely one of the most influential factors. While price is an important consideration, it’s not the only factor to consider. It’s important to evaluate all types of crowns in terms of cost as well as benefits and condition of your teeth prior to making a purchase decision. Ceramic crowns are generally more expensive than other materials available, but they provide a more natural looking smile – making them worth the investment.
