A crown is a cap for a ruined tooth. It can be prepared from a variety of materials, like metal or porcelain. You may have a crown over a molar that hardly shows, except when you yawn extensively, or you might have crowns on the front teeth that were specially designed to match your other teeth.

Several factors are essential to decide when choosing a dental crown such as:

• Price
• Strength 
• Durability 

The natural look that doesn’t detract from your smile may also be a necessary factor for you. A dentist can talk about the various options and help you to figure out what best meets your needs.

When deciding about the material for your crown, your dentist will look into factors such as:

• Position of your tooth
• How much of the tooth will show when you smile
• Location of the gum tissue
• The function of the tooth that requires the crown
• Number of remaining natural teeth
• The texture of the surrounding teeth

When you need a crown, it is better if you immediately start thinking about the types of dental crowns and costs. This is because multiple crowns vary depending on materials, values, procedures, and patients’ needs.

Types of Dental Crown

The major types of crowns used in dentistry are:

1. Gold crowns

These, in fact, are a mixture of copper and other metals, such as nickel or chromium. The prime advantage of gold crowns is their strength and durability. For final restorations -and depending on each patient’s needs- some dentists may suggest a gold crown as the preferred option. However, gold crowns don’t make a trendy choice today due to their color and aesthetics.

Advantages:

• They are durable and highly resistant
• They are durable for a long time if properly taken cared 
• Less proportion of your natural tooth requires to be removed
• They wear down very slowly just like the natural enamel
• They are an ideal for posterior restorations (back teeth), especially second molars

Disadvantages:

• Poor aesthetics: They don’t appear as your natural teeth do
• Gold alloy crowns may affect some people and produce a little side-effect like swelling or allergic reactions  

2. All Porcelain Crowns

This is the most common type of crown used nowadays. They are entirely made of porcelain material.

Advantages:

• Porcelain or ceramic crowns offer the best and most natural look. The exactly match with your surrounding teeth in their shape, size, and also texture.
• The best option for restoring front teeth.
• They are mostly biocompatible: that means no metal is used, so they are toxic-free.

Disadvantages:

• They are not as potent as metal crowns. Porcelain crowns can last a more extended period, but they need to be taken care of properly.
• Patients who suffer from bruxism should go for the gold of PFM
• They are usually costly than other types of crowns, such as metal crowns.

3. Porcelain Fused-to-Metal Crowns (PFM)

Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns are another widely used type of dental crown. They give both strengths (due to their metal structure) and aesthetics (due to the porcelain coat that covers the cap).

Advantages:

• They provide excellent aesthetics and durability
• They’ve been around for over 50 years. We know they work well.
• They are less costly than all-porcelain crowns

Disadvantages:

• The metal in these crowns may result in creating a grey line at the gumline. This may not give the 100% aesthetic look that all-porcelain crowns offer.
• For people who have teeth-clenching issue, this type of crown may wear down more easily against the opposing teeth.

4. Zirconia Crowns

It is a relatively new material, that mixes the strength of metal with aesthetics of particularly porcelain crowns. Both high translucent Zirconia and layered zirconia crowns have become a more popular choice lately.

Advantages:

• They provide great aesthetics
• They are reliable and long-lasting (less probability of breaking or chipping)
• The process can be less time occupying, as Zirconia can be shaped at the same dental office according to the need. There’s no requirement of sending them over to a dental lab.
• These crowns are less likely to wear down due to their strength.
• They are biocompatible: as metal-free crowns, they are not likely to cause allergic reactions.

Disadvantages:

• Their strength can wear down the teeth quickly.
• Solid Zirconia can be challenging to fit.

5. E- MAX: Lithium Disilicate Crowns

The brand-new type of crown available in the market today is known as E -Max. It is a type of all-ceramic crown prepared from lithium disilicate (which is also light and thin).

Advantages:

• Great aesthetics. They look great in your mouth.
• They can be durable and robust.
• They offer a great choice both for front and back teeth.

Disadvantages:

• They could be more costly.
• Some reported failures are thereby using E-Max for posterior teeth, especially when doing multiple units.

Therefore, a dental crown is a long-lasting tooth restorative treatment. Indeed, you want to have it done most professionally and skilfully. So, if possible, when considering varieties of dental crowns and costs, try not to go directly to the least costly dentist sans analyzing your options. Weigh in all points before selecting any of the options.

Maybe it’s better to spend a little more and be sure the results will be excellent and long-lasting. Choosing only cheap options may lead to inadequate quality treatments, which, in contrast, will later consume more money, more time, and more discomfort in the future.

At Dr. Mohamed Ali’s office, San Francisco, he will thoroughly assess your mouth before recommending any treatment for you, considering your dental issues. If required, he might suggest some alternatives which are best suited for your needs. The billing experts will inspect your insurance benefits. They will offer you a complete treatment plan with all the necessary arrangements. Every major dental and medical PPO insurance plans are accepted, including Medicare. There is also an in-office Plan for Health for those who don’t have any insurance. Also, we have partnered with various financial institutions like The Lending Club, Care Credit, Healthcare Finance Solutions to make your treatment extremely affordable. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. So sit, relax, and get sparkling white teeth. If you are ready to boost up your smile, give us a call or visit our website today! You can reach us at 415.391.7751.

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