What is the Best Material to Use for My Dental Crown?

There are many reasons that dental crowns are a good choice for your teeth. Whether you are wanting to restore an already broken tooth or cover a discolored tooth for aesthetic purposes, dental crowns are an efficient solution for an array of reasons. There are various restorative materials for dental crowns these days and it can be hard to know which material is best for you.

Restore your smile with an effective solution

A dental crown is a fitted cap that goes fully over a tooth and covers it. There are temporary and permanent dental crowns, depending on how long you need it for. An example of a temporary reason would be repairing a weakened tooth and an example of a permanent reason would be supporting a tooth with a large filling. Below are some of the more popular choices to select:

Gold Crowns

Gold crowns have been used for a very long time, which is no surprise considering how durable they are and the fact they produce fewer reactions than metal materials. The biggest con for most people is that they are not cosmetically appealing. Gold crowns tend to be a great option for back teeth, especially because they can be put on as a thin layer and still be very strong.

Gold crowns also have less sensitivity than metal materials so that your procedure is more comfortable. There is porcelain fused to gold crowns for durability and cosmetic purposes. However, sometimes the gold can show through at the gum line and the porcelain will look less life-like because of the gold undertone.

Stainless Steel

These crowns are ideal for children because they can cover a baby tooth and grow with it so that when it makes way for the permanent tooth, the crown will come right off with the old one. These crowns are temporary, cost-effective, and are simple to put in place.

Porcelain (also known as All-Ceramic)

These are the dental crowns that are the most life-like and aesthetically pleasing. They are very popular because of that and because they reduce temperature sensitivity. Much like gold, they are non-reactive for patients with metal sensitivities.

The downside is that they can fracture easier than other materials, they can be damaging to opposing teeth, and more tooth has to be removed for the procedure.

Metal

If you are looking for an inexpensive option for your dental crown, metal is going to be the cheapest. Though metal can last the longest, withstanding biting and chewing, they are not ideal for patients with metal sensitivities. The metal crowns are also not a favorite when it comes to appearances. They typically make for great back molars.

There is porcelain fused to metal crowns for those who want the strength of metal and the aesthetics of porcelain. However, the metal can show through the porcelain which may not be ideal and the porcelain is more prone to break.

Consider all factors

Another factor to consider in choosing a dental crown cost. The average cost of a dental crown is anywhere between $1,500 and $6,000, according to Dental Implant Cost Guide. That price range includes the actual implant procedure, the abutment, and the crown. Again, the price range will be dependent on what material you choose.

Keep in mind that there is not one dental crown material that will work best for everyone. It really depends on the reason, the timeline, your price range, and your dental history. Do not be afraid to talk to your dentist and have him help you sort through these options in greater detail. No matter the material, dental crowns are a great way to support your teeth and keep them healthy.