What Are Dental Crowns Made Of?

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns

Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are constructed with porcelain covering all or most of the metal surfaces of the underlying crown. These crowns are especially long-lasting, combining the strength of metal with the more natural look of overlaid porcelain. The porcelain top of the crown can be color-matched for a natural appearance, but the metal underlying the crown’s porcelain may create a thin dark line. For this reason, porcelain fused to zirconia is a popular option.  Zirconia is a very strong metal, but is white in appearance.  This makes the metal substructure far less noticeable than the dark metals. These crowns are most often used when a stronger restoration is required, particularly for front teeth.

Metal Crowns

The classic all-metal crown is gold, but there are a number of other dental alloys that can be used. Some alternate metals, such as zirconia, have the look of white gold, making them blend in with the natural color of your teeth. Less of the tooth structure has to be removed for a metal crown, but they are typically used only on molars and back teeth.  Due to their superior strength, they are a great option for patients who grind or clench their teeth, to avoid breaking the crowns.

All-Resin Crowns

All-resin crowns are the least-expensive – and also the least-durable, leading to a high probability of early or regular replacement. For that reason, we do not offer Resin Crowns at Friendly Dentistry. Each crown is constructed from composite material that is similar in color to your actual tooth, making them one of the more natural-looking options. One other major disadvantage is that a large part of the tooth structure must be removed to place an all-resin crown.