What kind of material are dental crowns made of?
Dental crowns are restorative procedures that help protect or replace damaged teeth. A dental crown may be recommended for a variety of reasons, including the preservation of teeth or the enhancement of their look. For instance, if you have a damaged tooth, a dental crown can act as a protective cap, restoring functionality while limiting future harm to the actual tooth. Dental crowns can be created from a number of materials, but how can you determine which is the best?
This guide on what different types of dental crowns are made of can help you decide which crown material is best for you.
Dental Crown: What Is It?
A dental crown is a great choice for restorative work when teeth are decaying or have been damaged, especially when considering a temporary crown. Dental crowns are becoming one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures available, providing structural support while also improving smiles.
Dental Crown Procedure
A dental crown is a cover that is placed over the original tooth. The procedure of receiving a dental crown involves the following steps:
Tooth Preparation
Involves removing some of the tooth’s outer layers to ensure that the crown fits securely over the area, without sticking out or being painful.
Structural Reconstruction
If necessary, the tooth will be structurally reconstructed. Although crowns are intended to cover your tooth, they require a solid structural base to attach to. Therefore, if the underlying tooth is significantly damaged or weakened, a dental implant or structural treatment may be required to repair it. This could include having a filling or composite bonding done to reconstruct the contour of the tooth.
Tooth Impressions
Tooth impressions allow your dentist to create a customised crown cap that fits your specific tooth.
Crown Creation
Your crown will be made in the specialised dental lab where your impressions were submitted. The completed crown will be checked on tooth impressions to ensure an excellent fit. This thorough testing occurs before your final appointment for the dental implant or type of crown you choose is finalised with the dentist.
Crown is cemented
Your crown will be cemented on your final appointment. When the crown is delivered from the lab, your dentist will contact you to schedule an appointment. If delivery times are scheduled ahead of time, you may already have a pre-booked appointment with the dentist. During this appointment, strong dental glue will be used to seal the temporary crown over the tooth.
Different Types of Dental Crown Materials Available
Dental Crowns can be made from a variety of materials, each with unique advantages. When choosing the type of crown for your restoration, you are given multiple options. We will also cover some of the advantages of different materials used in each type of crown.
Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain is one of the most natural materials that closely resembles the enamel that makes up our outer layers of teeth, and is often used in ceramic crowns. This is because all-porcelain crowns are naturally semi-translucent and have a pearly gloss, reflecting light in the same way that our natural teeth do.
Although porcelain crowns have been around since the 1900s, they didn’t really progress until new technology made it possible to try out more durable varieties of the material. The porcelain crowns used in the 1900s were quite distinct from those worn today, since porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns allowed for a much more durable, long-lasting fit that looked natural. Porcelain crowns will normally last up to 15 years with proper care, but they can last even longer. Crowns made of porcelain can cost up to £1000.
Zirconium Crowns
Zirconia is a popular dental crown material due to its exceptional strength and endurance. Zirconia is a metal oxide that has many similarities to ceramics, including the appearance of genuine teeth. It is a highly biocompatible substance with strength comparable to metals. Zirconia crowns can also be produced with CAD/CAM technology, allowing for incredibly robust, custom-fitting crowns.
If you take better care of your zirconia crowns and attend regular check-ups, they will last longer. With proper care, zirconia crowns can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, or even longer. Zirconia was very recently introduced to dentistry, in the 1990s. It became increasingly popular in the 2000s, particularly for crowns. It is now one of the most preferred crown materials due to its strength and natural appearance. Zirconia crowns may cost up to £1000.
Gold Crowns
Gold crowns have long been a popular choice for dental crowns due to their ability to last, strength, and resistance to pressure. This has found them particularly beneficial for teeth requiring additional resistance, such as molars. Gold alloys were once widely used because they can endure up to 20 years or more.
Gold alloy crowns are sturdy, but as with any metal crown they do not seem natural. They were once popular because they were the most durable option, but there are now more modern choices. Gold alloy crowns became popular in the 1990s as a result of rap culture and its connotation with status. Gold alloys are still commonly used for crowns and can be the best option in certain circumstances, particularly with rear teeth. Gold alloy crowns are the most expensive alternative; nevertheless, the price varies according to the amount of gold used.
Blessing Dental Care provides quality dental crowns
Dental crowns are made from a variety of materials to satisfy the unique demands of each patient. Blessing Dental Care offers crowns composed of porcelain, ceramic, metal alloys, and composite resin. Each variety provides various advantages, such as natural beauty, durability, and cost-effectiveness. Consult with our expert team at Blessing Dental Care to determine which crown material is best suited to your dental needs and explore customised choices for your ideal smile.
Schedule an appointment at our dental practice today to take the first step towards better dental health!
