Different Types of Dental Crown Materials Explained
What are Dental Crowns?
Teeth crowns are caps that cover a tooth and restore it to its natural shape. A dental crown is a prosthetic used to cover the entire visible portion of a tooth. It’s basically like putting a cap on your tooth, and it can be made out of a variety of materials.
Dental crowns are used for many reasons:
- Strengthen teeth with large fillings or fractures that cannot be repaired with filling material alone.
- Protect damaged teeth from further damage during chewing (like when children lose their baby teeth).
- Covering discolored or misshapen teeth or even making them appear larger than they are by covering up some tooth length with porcelain veneers.
Dental crowns can also be used as part of an orthodontic treatment plan to help straighten crooked teeth or fix jaw alignment problems caused by poorly positioned wisdom teeth!
They come in many different materials; each has its benefits and drawbacks. It’s vital to discuss your options with our dentist to make an informed decision about the different options available.
Different Types of Dental Crown Materials
Dental crowns come in different materials, each with its pros and cons. The three most common materials are:
1. Gold Alloy Crowns
Gold alloy crowns are very strong, durable, and often used to replace a tooth. They are also hypoallergenic and will not chip or wear down over time. Gold crowns are the most expensive type of crown material and do not look as natural as other types.
2. Porcelain-fused-to-metal Crowns
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are made of a base metal alloy (usually gold or titanium) that’s fused to a ceramic core with a bonding agent. The ceramic is often porcelain but can also be zirconia or composite resin. These materials provide the strength and longevity of porcelain without compromising on aesthetics and cost.
Using these materials results in teeth that look natural, feel comfortable when biting down on them, and have good color-matching properties from tooth to tooth in your mouth. They don’t chip easily like other materials might do overtime thanks to increased durability from using an alloy underneath the porcelain outer layer where you bite down on it every day for meals and snacks!
3. Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia crowns are made from a stronger white ceramic material but are less brittle than porcelain or porcelain fused to metal (PFM).
The main advantage of zirconia over all other dental crown materials is its strength, so they don’t have any issues with breaking or chipping like some other materials do over time (although this will depend on how well-cared-for your restorations are).
They also offer better aesthetics since they match the natural color of your teeth – no more ugly greyish tints!
4. All-Ceramic Composite
All-ceramic crowns are the most popular option for front teeth, as they look natural and are strong and durable. When you choose an all-ceramic crown, it is made from porcelain or ceramic. These materials are very white and shiny on the outside but may not be suitable for back teeth due to their strength.
How Are Dental Crowns Fixed?
Once our crown dentist near you has chosen which type of crown material to use, they will then proceed with fixing it. Our dentist begins the process by removing any decay from the tooth.
Next, he will take a mold or cast of the teeth and send it to a lab where a dental technician creates the permanent crown.
Finally, our dentist will place the permanent crown over the top of all existing teeth to protect them from further damage while also providing aesthetic beauty.
How Long Do the Dental Crowns Last?
The longevity of tooth crowns depends on your oral health, how well you take care of the crown, and whether or not the crown is placed properly. In general, dental crowns last anywhere between 5 and 15 years.
The crown can last longer if you have good oral hygiene habits and practice proper brushing techniques. It’s important to invest in maintaining good dental health to prevent sores from forming around the area where the dental crown is placed on your tooth.
Avoid grinding or clenching your teeth at night while sleeping because this can cause damage over time—and thus reduce the lifespan of any type of restoration (like a porcelain veneer).
Schedule an Appointment with Your Nearby Dentist
Are you looking for tooth crowns in Pflugerville, TX? Call us or book an appointment with The Grand Family Dental for more information about dental crowns in Pflugerville, TX, and what you can expect during the procedure.