types of dental crowns

If you have chipped or severely decayed teeth, a dental crown may be the best solution to help rejuvenate your smile. A crown is custom designed to fit your tooth with the highest grade materials to give your tooth the stability, longer lifespan, and to optimally maintain your oral health. There are plenty of types of materials and crowns to choose from, so how do you know you are making the best decision? In this article we explore all different types of crowns depending on your needs, tooth location, and budget to give you a clear vision of what type of crown may benefit you.

All About Crowns

Crown materials will vary based on many factors. There are many cosmetic and restorative reasons to get a crown – tooth discoloration, tooth decay, chipped teeth or irregularly shaped teeth that you want to improve the esthetics. However, one of the most important benefits of a dental crown is proper function, which means you can chew and eat properly. There are several options for crown materials that are strong enough for chewing, but also esthetic to look just like your natural teeth.

There is no one-type of dental crown that serves all people. The materials and laboratory will impact your esthetics, durability and fit, which is why it is important to discuss your needs with your dentist.

Resin Crowns

Composite resin crowns are the most cost effective crown type for temporary crowns while a permanent crown is being fabricated. They have a natural looking appearance, but they do not offer the strength or durability to last as many years as all-porcelain or ceramic crowns. This weakness in material leaves resin crowns as vulnerable to fractures and wear, requiring additional dental visits and/or a new crown.

The benefits of getting a resin crown are usually short-term because they need replacement with a more durable material. However, because they are so affordable and esthetic, many people use them as a temporary crown or stepping stone to an all-ceramic or porcelain crown.

All-porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are highly aesthetic crowns for anterior teeth because they deliver a perfectly translucent appearance to match your natural teeth. They are metal free and biocompatible, so they won’t be of any concerns for people with metal alloy allergies. Porcelain is often recommended for veneers because of their abilities to reshape and correct minor alignment and discoloration issues.
Porcelain does not stain, but it can fracture, therefore they are not recommended for posterior teeth because they can break. While all-porcelain crowns are highly esthetic, they often come with a higher price tag than competitor crowns because they tend to offer the greatest cosmetic look.

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia crowns are one of the best types of crowns in the dental industry because of their combined esthetics and durability. They are recommended for anterior teeth because they are long-lasting and reliable and most importantly, can be created at a dental office avoiding the need for a laboratory. Zirconia is recommended for most posterior teeth due to increased strength and durability, even in patients who clench and grind! They are less expensive to make due to no metal being used but are by far the best material for most posterior crowns, bridges and implant crowns.

E-max Crowns

E-max crowns are popular all-ceramic crowns made from lithium disilicate and recommended for people who are looking for great esthetics. They can be easily used for anterior and posterior teeth because of their strong durability against chewing forces. There is no metal base, so it won’t have a dark undertone at the gum line if the gums happen to recede or show upon smiling. They also don’t require a ton of tooth enamel removal, making them an excellent choice to preserve tooth structure.

This type of crown is highly biocompatible and will cause less of a chance of any allergic reactions. They are often used for highly esthetic areas for veneers and crowns and are more translucent and lifelike than zirconia crowns. The main downside of these crowns is that they tend to be more expensive than other materials.

Implant-Supported Crown

If you happen to lose a tooth from tooth decay or trauma, an implant is the best option to replace your natural tooth. Once an implant is placed in the jawbone, you will need a long-lasting and stable crown to connect to your implant. An implant is not complete without the fabrication of a crown!

An implant crown can be designed to match your natural teeth and blend right in to resemble your adjacent teeth. The most common materials for an implant crown are ceramic materials like zirconia, porcelain or EMax. The esthetics and functionality of the tooth location will always be the top decision makers in what type of implant crown you get.

How to decide what crown you will get

Once you know you need a crown for restorative purposes, it is best to discuss all of your options with your dentist. You may wonder what crown suits you best, but it will matter where the tooth is in the mouth and if it is in an esthetic area and a high force area used for chewing. The good news is that there are plenty of durable and highly esthetic ways to strengthen a weakened tooth.

Conclusion

Investing in a crown is investing in your future oral health, so understanding what goes in your mouth is important. There are many choices when it comes to dental crowns and materials, therefore the most important thing to do is discuss your needs and budget with your dental provider, so she/he can offer you the best crown type for your individual tooth. The good news is that dental materials continue to improve and develop over time, so there is always an esthetic and durable crown option to maintain your oral health. As alway the knowledgeable staff at Caldwell, Bills, Petrilli & West are here to help you with all your dental needs. Contact us today!