Are There Different Types of Dental Crowns? What are They?

Ritter and Ramsey General and Cosmetic Dentistry service Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, and all of Palm Beach County, Florida.

If you’ve talked to your dentist about cosmetic dentistry, chances are, you’ve heard of dental crowns. Dental crowns are “caps” that are created from a number of different materials to cover the desired tooth. This type of cap is usually needed to cover damaged, decayed, chipped or broken teeth. Many patients opt for dental crowns as it is an easier procedure to undergo in comparison to dental implants.

There is a multitude of different types of dental crowns, and each can be applied to different needs. Some patients don’t require strength but need an upgrade in the appearance of a tooth, while others don’t mind the aesthetics so long as the strength of the crown is sturdy.

Here are the Four Different Types of Dental Crowns

Gold Alloys

Gold Alloys are extremely durable. They are created with a combination of gold, copper and a number of other metals. This material bonds to your natural tooth with extreme grip and won’t fracture your natural tooth in the process. Gold alloys don’t look natural in the least as they are not made in a natural tooth-like color, however, are one of the stronger dental crowns on the market.

Base Metal Alloys

This is the only type of dental crown that needs the least amount of natural tooth to be removed before fitting. Base metal alloy dental crowns are also one of the stronger forms of crowns. It is made from a variety of non-noble metals and doesn't corrode easily.

Ceramic

This material is ideal for patients who want a natural-looking dental crown. Ceramic is used mainly for front teeth to ensure a natural tooth-like appearance. This is a thinner material which makes it easier for detached gums to grown alongside and even slightly above the crown. Ceramic is, however, one of lowest in quality of dental crowns. Because of it’s thinner material is more susceptible to cracking and breaking than any other materials.

Porcelain-Fused to Metal (PFM)

Porcelain crowns are extremely durable and look incredibly natural as it is a natural tooth-like color. However, porcelain-fused metal dental crowns provide the aesthetics of a porcelain crown along with the strength of a metal alloy. The porcelain crown essentially encases a metal substructure making it strong and beautiful.

The most durable of all dental crowns are the metal and gold alloys. Although the ceramic and porcelain crowns look the most appealing, they tend to need replacing much sooner than that of metal dental crowns.

The lifeline of any and all of these dental crown does also depend on the patient. If you practice poor dental hygiene and are lazy with your brushing, be ready to replace your dental crowns much sooner than you expected. A proper brush and floss schedule (twice a day) could keep your dental crowns in the impeccable shade. Avoiding to chew on hard foods will also extend the life of your dental crowns. Ask Ritter and Ramsey about which dental crown could be right for you.

Interested in learning more about how much porcelain crowns cost? Read More Here!