Do you have damaged teeth you’d like to restore? Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that could help you restore the function and look of your damaged teeth. They will also help you improve your smile.
However, most people don’t know much about dental crowns and the different types available in the market today. Before rushing to get the cheapest available crown, it’s essential to know the different types of dental crowns, their advantages, and their disadvantages.
Read on below to understand more about the different types of dental crowns that exist today:
Gold Tooth Crown
Gold dental crowns are a combination of metals such as chromium or nickel and copper. This combination makes them strong and durable.
They are mainly used for teeth restoration depending on specific patients’ needs. Thanks to their durability, your dentist may suggest a gold tooth crown as a preferred option if you have back teeth damage. Unfortunately, these dental crowns have a golden appearance, making them an unpopular choice among patients.
But there are many advantages of gold dental crowns. These include:
- They are highly resistant to wear and tear because they are strong
- If well maintained and cared for, they can last a very long time
- They are like your natural enamel and wear down very slowly, lasting longer than other types of crowns
- They are the best option for posterior or back teeth restoration, especially your second molars
- Only a tiny proportion of your tooth will be removed for gold dental crowns to be installed
If you have extensive posterior teeth damage, your dentist may advise on gold dental crowns because they are durable, strong, and long-lasting compared to other crowns. However, there are also some disadvantages that come with gold dental crowns. The major drawback is poor aesthetics.
Gold dental crowns don’t look like regular teeth, which often puts off most patients. Additionally, the metals used to make the crown often cause side effects such as swelling and allergic reactions for some patients.
Porcelain Dental Crowns
All-porcelain dental crowns are the most popular cap option among patients today. That’s because they match best with regular teeth compared to other types of crowns. Additionally, all-porcelain crowns are ideal for individuals with metal allergies.
If you have front teeth damage, your dentist may prefer using porcelain dental crowns because of their aesthetics. Other advantages of porcelain dental crowns include:
- They provide a flawless natural look by matching your teeth
- They are toxic-free and don’t cause allergic reactions
- They don’t have any metal in them, making them biocompatible
However, these crowns aren’t as strong as porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns. They are also less durable and are susceptible to normal wear and tear. Another disadvantage of porcelain crowns is that they may wear down the opposite teeth faster than resin or metal crowns.
While porcelain dental crowns don’t last as long as gold crowns, they need proper maintenance and regular care. They are also the most expensive type of dental crowns in the market today.
Zirconia Dental Crowns
Zirconia dental crowns are quite new to the dental industry. They are made from zirconium material that combines the aesthetic appearance of porcelain and the strength of the metal crowns. This gives you a great-looking and long-lasting dental crown.
The two most common zirconia dental crowns are the layered zirconia crowns and the high translucent crowns. Today, these types of crowns have become a popular option for most patients because they come with the below advantages:
- Great aesthetics, matching natural teeth
- They are biocompatible and are less likely to cause an allergic reaction
- They are strong and durable; hence, they are less likely to wear down
- The installation process isn’t as time-consuming because it’s easy to cut and shape zirconia at the dental office without sending them to a lab
- They are less likely to chirp or break due to their strength
While there are many advantages of zirconia dental crowns, there are also some disadvantages. A significant drawback of these crowns is that they can make teeth that are opposite and against them wear down because the zirconium material is very strong. Additionally, it’s quite challenging to adjust zirconia dental crowns.
One-Day Dental Crowns
Did you know that you can get a dental crown at the dentist’s office within a single appointment? Some local dentists offer same-day dental crowns by using different installation methods. Some of these methods include computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) or computer-aided design (CAD).
This means that the new dental crown is designed and created from a block of ceramic or zirconium right there without the need for more appointments. Check out this guide for more information on same day crowns.
Porcelain Fused-to-Metal Dental Crowns
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are also known as PFM. They are another popular dental crown option that provides the strength of metal and the aesthetics of porcelain. PFM is made from a metal interior structure and a porcelain cover, making them more durable.
Below are some benefits of FPM crowns:
- They are more durable and provide great aesthetics
- They are more affordable than porcelain crowns
- They have been in the market for over 50 years, which means they are durable
With so many people choosing porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns, it’s essential to also know their disadvantages. A significant drawback of PFM is that the metal inside the crown may lead to the formation of a grey line near your gum line. This means that the crown will not give you the same aesthetic look as an all-porcelain crown provides.
Additionally, it’s not ideal for individuals who clench their teeth. That’s because its strength may lead to the wearing down of the teeth on the opposing side.
Now You Know the Different Types of Dental Crowns
Do you need dental crowns? If your teeth are seriously damaged or decayed, your dentist may recommend using dental crowns to restore their functionality. Unfortunately, most people often get dental crowns installed without knowing what they are.
Fortunately, our guide above will help you understand the different types of dental crowns, their benefits, and their drawbacks. This knowledge enables you to choose the right dental crown for your teeth based on your needs and the dentist’s recommendation.
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