What is a dental crown used for?

Dental crowns have long been a solution to restore the appearance and function of a damaged tooth. These tooth-shaped caps help restore your teeth and improve your smile.

Before looking at the different types of dental crowns, how can you know for sure if you need a dental crown? After a thorough examination during your first visit to the office, your dentist will assess your particular case and guide you on possible treatments. In general, the most frequent reasons for getting a dental crown are:

• A weakened tooth after decay or severe cavities;
• To cover an implant;
• A damaged or cracked natural tooth;
• A tooth that has undergone root canal treatment (especially posterior teeth);
• To align your bite;
• For aesthetic reasons: to achieve a more beautiful smile by leveling the size, shape, and color of your teeth;

When you need a crown, you immediately start thinking about the types of dental crowns and their cost. Indeed, there are many types of crowns available today that vary according to materials, cost, procedures, and patient needs.

4 Main Types of Dental Crowns

Gold Crowns

Gold crowns are actually a combination of gold, copper and other metals, such as nickel or chromium. The main advantage of gold crowns is their strength and durability. Depending on the needs of each patient, some dentists may suggest a gold crown as a preferred option. However, gold crowns are not very popular today because of their color and aesthetics.

Main advantages of gold crowns:

• They are strong and very resistant;
• They last a long time if well maintained;
• Less natural tooth needs to be removed;
• They wear down quite slowly, just like natural enamel;

Main disadvantages of gold crowns:

• Poor aesthetics: They obviously don't look like a natural tooth;
• Gold alloy crowns may affect some people and produce some side effects such as allergic reactions or swelling;

Porcelain Dental Crowns

This is certainly the most popular type of crown used nowadays. They are entirely made of porcelain. Here are the advantages of porcelain dental crowns:

• Porcelain or ceramic crowns offer the best and most natural appearance;
• They adapt to the shape, size, and color of the surrounding teeth;
• It is the best option for restorations of front teeth. They are biocompatible: this means that no metal is used, so they are not toxic;

However, the main disadvantages of porcelain crowns are:

• They are not as strong as metal crowns. Porcelain crowns can last a long time, but they need to be well maintained;
• Patients who suffer from bruxism should opt for gold;
• They can be more expensive than other types of crowns, such as metal crowns;

Metal-Porcelain Fused Crowns

Metal-porcelain fused crowns are another widely used type of dental crown. They offer both strength (thanks to their metal structure) and aesthetics (thanks to the porcelain layer).

The main advantages of this type of crown are:

• They offer great aesthetics and durability;
• They have been around for over 50 years. So, we know they work well;
• They are less expensive than all-porcelain crowns;

However, the disadvantages of porcelain and metal crowns include:

• The metal of these crowns can cause a grey line at the gum line. This may not give the 100% aesthetic look that all-porcelain crowns provide;
• For people who clench their teeth, this type of crown can wear down more easily against opposing teeth;

Zirconia Dental Crowns

Zirconia is a relatively new material that combines the strength of metal and the aesthetics of porcelain crowns. Highly translucent zirconia and layered zirconia crowns have become a more popular choice lately.

The main advantages of zirconia crowns are:

• They offer a very good aesthetic result;
• They are strong and durable (less chance of chipping or breaking);
• The process of fitting the zirconia crown can be shorter because zirconia can be cut and shaped in the same dental office. It is not necessary to send them to a dental laboratory;
• Zirconia crowns are less likely to wear down due to their strength;
• They are biocompatible: as metal-free crowns, they are not likely to cause allergic reactions;

The main disadvantages of zirconia crowns are:

• Their strength can make the teeth they bite into easily prone to wear;
• Solid zirconia can be difficult to adjust;

What are the most common dental crown problems?

A dental crown is a long-term restoration that provides a solution to many dental problems such as decay, broken teeth, sensitivity, infections, etc. Once you have had a dental crown, you must take care of it and have it checked regularly to avoid problems such as cavities forming under the crown, chipping or breakage of your crown, or significant discomfort in that area. If you experience any of these problems or any allergic reaction, you should immediately make an appointment with your dentist.