What Are Dental Crowns Made Of?

Dental crowns rank among the most common and versatile dental solutions. A dental crown is a custom, tooth-shaped cap that can treat a wide variety of dental problems including restorative and cosmetic dentistry cases. Dentists can make crowns from a range of materials including porcelain-fused-to-metal, ceramic, porcelain, metal alloys, resin, zirconia, and more. The choice of material not only impacts how the tooth looks, but also how it performs once the crown is in place. 

Understanding your options when it comes to dental crowns can help you and our Midtown Dental Group team craft the best treatment plan for your smile and overall oral health!

Dental Crowns for Restorative Cases (Restoring Health & Functionality)

Dental crowns are an important restorative treatment for repairing, protecting, and strengthening teeth. By fully covering an existing tooth, they can help restore the tooth’s health, functionality, and overall stability so that patients can eat, speak, and utilize their teeth with ease. Dental crowns can also help prevent further tooth damage and preserve the natural tooth underneath to prevent the need for extractions. They can be utilized to restore:

• Broken, cracked, or fractured teeth
• Missing teeth with the assistance of a dental bridge or implant
• Severely decayed teeth 
• Weakened teeth after root canal therapy
• Worn-down teeth from grinding or enamel erosion

Dental Crowns for Cosmetic Cases (Enhancing Appearance)

When it comes to your smile, our Midtown Dental Group team understands that it’s important for it to not only feel great, but look great, too! In addition to restoring health and functionality, dental crowns play a key role in cosmetic dentistry to help create a more uniform appearance and boost patients’ self confidence. Crowns can be used cosmetically to improve:

• Large gaps & spaces between teeth
• Major tooth stains & discoloration
• Misshapen teeth
• Uneven teeth

Different Materials for Dental Crowns

Dental crowns come in many different materials in order to provide for each patient’s unique oral health needs. Some cases may require more durable materials while others call for more natural-looking results, or somewhere in between the two. Some of the most common materials include:

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM)

Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns have a porcelain outer exterior (the part of the crown people will see) that’s fused to a metal interior or base. PFM crowns are a strong and durable crown material that offers long-lasting restorative results.

Another benefit of PFM crowns is that they can be matched to the color of your natural teeth, which means they’ll blend in seamlessly. Dentists often choose PFM crowns for teeth that require more bite force but still show in the smile line.

All-Ceramic & All-Porcelain

All-ceramic and all-porcelain crowns are made from 100% ceramic or porcelain that can be matched to the exact shade of your natural teeth. Dentists most often use them to cover or replace damaged front teeth because of their natural appearance. 

All-ceramic and all-porcelain crowns are also a great solution for patients who have allergies or sensitivities to metal. However, it’s important to note that they are a little less durable than their PFM counterparts without the support of the metal interior.

Metal Crowns

Dentists make metal crowns from gold, palladium (silver), or nickel. Metal crowns can’t be matched to the shade of your surrounding teeth. However, they offer extreme durability and longevity. They also require the least amount of tooth preparation before the dentist places the crown.

Metal crowns are often the choice for baby teeth that will eventually fall out and for adult back molars that handle a lot of bite pressure but aren’t necessarily seen in the smile line. Metal crowns are a sturdy, budget-friendly restorative solution.

Composite Resin

Composite resin crowns are made with a tooth-colored resin and provide a more temporary solution for patients looking for restorative or cosmetic dental solutions. While the composite resin material can be matched to the shade of natural teeth, it isn’t an extremely durable material. Unfortunately, this means that resin crowns don’t provide the same strength and longevity that the other materials can.

However, it can be a great intermediate, cost-effective option for patients who may need more time to plan out a permanent restorative or cosmetic dental treatment plan.

Zirconia

Our dentists craft zirconia crowns from biocompatible zirconia. They are allergy friendly, chip and crack resistant, and can be crafted to look similar to existing teeth, but not exact. Zirconia isn’t as translucent as real teeth, so they don’t always look as natural as a porcelain or ceramic crown. However, they are a great option for patients looking for a more realistic restoration without compromising on durability.

Which Dental Crown Material Is Right For You?

Unsure which dental crown material is right for you? Don’t stress! Our knowledgeable Midtown Dental Group team is here to help. We’ll walk you through all of your treatment choices to help you determine which crown material best suits your dental needs, lifestyle, and budget. Our team will be with you every step of the way to ensure you receive the quality care you need and deserve!

The Dental Crown Process

Our dentists create dental crowns through a high-tech process that combines craftsmanship and technology. From prepping your tooth to creating the crown itself, our expert team takes their time to ensure every step of the process is as precise and smooth as possible. Our dental crown process:

1. Tooth Prep

We’ll start by prepping your tooth for the dental crown. This includes removing any damaged or decayed areas of the tooth and reshaping it to ensure the crown fits snugly on top.

2. Digital Impressions & Scans

Our team uses advanced technology to scan and create a digital impression of your prepped tooth. We’ll use this impression to create your fully custom crown.

3. Permanent Crown Creation & Temporary Crown Placement

While our lab fabricates your permanent crown in the material you chose during your consultation, we’ll put a temporary crown over your prepped tooth. That way, you can eat and speak with ease while your crown is being made.

4. Permanent Crown Fitting

Once your permanent crown is ready, we’ll take off your temporary crown and put your new crown in its place. We’ll ensure your permanent crown fits well, looks right, and feels comfortable.

If it doesn’t, we’ll make all of the necessary adjustments before bonding your permanent crown in place!

Dental Crowns FAQ

How do I know if I need a dental crown?

If you have a broken, missing, aching, misshapen, or damaged tooth, you may be a good candidate for a dental crown. However, the best thing to do is to schedule a dental consultation so that our skilled team can determine which treatment path is the best option for your needs.

How long do dental crowns last?

While there isn’t an exact lifespan for each dental crown, there are general guidelines based on the type of material used:

• Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal: 10-15 years on average
• All-Ceramic & All-Porcelain:10-15 years on average
• Metal Alloy: 20+ years on average
• Composite Resin: 5-7 years on average

The best thing to do for your dental restorations is to keep a watchful eye on them. If you notice that your crowns are starting to loosen or they have excess wear, schedule a dental appointment to see if your crown needs to be repaired or replaced.

How much do dental crowns cost?

It depends! There are many factors to consider when determining treatment costs for crowns. Your treatment cost will include how many crowns you need, the material chosen, additional services needed/prep work, and more.

At Midtown Dental Group, our team is committed to transparent, up-front pricing. We work with insurance and accept CareCredit® financing allowing you to split your treatment costs into smaller, more manageable monthly payments. We’ll work one-on-one with you to craft your personalized dental plan that keeps your unique smile and budget in mind.

How do I care for my dental crown?

Similar to caring for your natural teeth, you should continue to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily to prevent bacteria and plaque buildup. In addition to keeping up with your oral hygiene, try to avoid eating a lot of hard or sticky foods that can potentially damage or dislodge your dental crown.

If you notice any changes in your dental crown, contact us right away to ensure your crown remains in good repair. We will also check your dental crown during your biannual dental check-ups, too!

Cosmetic & Restorative Dental Crowns

We Have Solutions

Looking for a trusted dental team to create a custom-fitted dental crown for your smile? We’d love to help! At Midtown Dental Group, we offer high-quality dental crowns to restore the health, functionality, and appearance of your teeth. Whether you need a crown to protect a weakened tooth, replace a missing tooth, or improve the overall look of your smile, we provide personalized care every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule your dental crown consultation.