Different Types of Crowns

When your teeth get damaged, one of the most common ways to fix things up is by getting a dental crown. What is a crown? It is a type of tooth repair method that involves covering a damaged tooth with one or more materials to preserve its shape and structure. Crowns are made after getting a mold of the tooth in question, and they are most typically used for serious cavities. The most common types of crowns include all-metal, all-ceramic, and a combination of metal and ceramic. If you are confused about what type of crown to get, here are some pros and cons of each.

*All-Metal

All-metal dental crowns have been used for many, many years. The most popular metal used to craft these crowns is gold. In most cases, gold crowns are not made entirely of gold because it is a very soft metal that easily deforms. Gold crowns are usually made with a gold alloy, or a mixture of gold and other harder metals, so they are more durable and able to keep their shape. They can come in a gold or silver hue.

Pros of All-Metal Crowns

- Gold is malleable

Crowns made with an alloy containing a high concentration of gold can be easily molded into the shape of the damaged tooth. This allows for a very nice fitting crown that feels natural in the mouth and to the bite.

- Metal crowns are strong

Since gold and most metals are harder than human teeth, metal crowns won’t crack, morph, or chip. Even excessive grinding and chewing on tougher foods won’t damage them. If you are worried about metal crowns wearing out your natural teeth, don’t be. They degrade at a very similar rate to enamel, so you can expect your metal crowns to last a very long time.

Cons of All-Metal Crowns

- Metal crowns do not look natural. They will stand out every time you open your mouth. If you are worried about them not blending in with your teeth, there are other types of crowns to choose from.

*All-Ceramic Crowns

This type of crown is the better choice as far as aesthetics are concerned. Ceramic crowns are usually made completely of porcelain, and they blend in perfectly with your natural teeth. Today, they can be made out of a variety of different specially-engineered dental ceramics. Like gold crowns, porcelain crowns have been in use for hundreds of years.

Pros of All-Ceramic Crowns

- They look natural

Ceramic crowns are nearly indistinguishable from regular teeth. Unless you really get in a person’s face, you likely won’t notice anything out of the ordinary. This camouflage is a huge benefit in a professional setting since looks and first impressions are a big deal. Many recipients of crowns also prefer the natural look because they feel self-conscious about how they appear to other people. It’s no different than feeling ashamed about wearing braces.

Cons of All-Ceramic Crowns

- They are less durable than metal crowns

Ceramics are more prone to cracking than metal crowns, but they are very suitable for front teeth. The teeth in the back of the mouth undergo more extensive chewing and biting so they should be installed with metal or metal-ceramic crowns.

*Metal-Ceramic Crowns

These crowns are made of a metal core and a ceramic outer covering.

Pros of Metal-Ceramic Crowns

-They offer the benefit of both metal and ceramic crowns

The metal core provides great strength, while the ceramic covering masks the metallic color of the core. It’s the best of both worlds.

Cons of Metal-Ceramic Crowns

-The metal can show over time

When gum lines recede, the metal underneath can poke out. This ruins the whole point of the combination.

-The ceramic covering can become damaged and damage other teeth

It may chip over time or separate from the metal core with prolonged stress. Ceramics also seem to cause more wear on teeth than metal.

Do you want to learn about Zirconium Crowns to discover if they are the right choice for you?

Zirconium crowns and bridges are so strong they can be used anywhere in the mouth. Zirconium crowns can withstand the biting pressure of the front teeth as well as back teeth grinding.

The look of zirconium crowns and bridges is so close to natural teeth that it is hard to tell the difference and it is this quality which makes it very useable within dental work. Zirconium crowns can be fixed using traditional dental cements.

They have quickly become the preferred material for dental crowns. Zirconium is a very strong substance that can endure wear and tear of everyday use. When looking at Zirconium crowns from an aesthetic point it is clear and very similar to a natural tooth and reflects light the same way. This may be important if your new crowns are on the front of your mouth and it is particularly relevant in cases where the crown will be seen next to the natural teeth.

Porcelain is the conventional material used for the new crowns however, full porcelain can chip or break. This is overcome by making the crowns from the metal, in this case metal zirconia, then merge the porcelain on the outside. Zirconia metal gives the strength while the porcelain gives the appearance of a normal tooth. Zirconium crowns allow light to pass as a normal tooth would and that gives a natural look, unlike other metal cores that block the light.

Pros with Zirconium Crowns

Zirconium crowns won’t corrode and the normal black gum line that you can see around a porcelain fused metal crown, won’t happen because of the strong ceramic material used. Also the normal too hot/cold sensations you can feel with other crowns does not normally occur because of the lack of electrical conductivity.

A Family Dental Care Center

2030 Wests Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403