A Comparison of Dental Crown Materials

Dental crowns are now available in a variety of materials, such as zirconium and porcelain. These materials drastically improve the aesthetic and strength of dental crowns than solutions in the past. Most dental crowns look and function quite well, regardless of the material.

However, there are some important differences of note between these materials.  Read through this brief guide to dental crown materials to find if you are better served with a crown material aside from the traditional full porcelain variety.

Here is information on dental crown materials

Dental Composite Crowns

Dental composite is a type of synthetic resin.  Dental composite is common in fillings to suit the aesthetic of nearby teeth.  The dental composite can also create strong crowns after curing and processing.  Dental composite crowns are ideal for people who are sensitive to metal as well as porcelain. While composite crowns are not the strongest or most durable, they certainly serve as an effective restoration for the teeth in question.

Dental composite crowns have all sorts of advantages including a lower cost in comparison to gold/porcelain crowns, the ability to reduce sensitivity in the teeth and a soft texture that is not as reactive as other metals. People who do not have a sensitivity to metal/porcelain might find the composite variety of crowns to be quite underwhelming in comparison to other types of crowns due to not lasting as long.

Gold Crowns

Gold is a common material in dentistry since it is quite durable. Gold is less reactive than other metals when in the mouth.  Furthermore, gold is gentle on the teeth opposing the crown. In particular, gold is ideal for patients who grind or clench their molar teeth with regularity.  Even if gold is thin, it still proves to be durable and strong.

Gold permits conservative crown prep work along with the preservation of healthy teeth.  Gold functions quite well with glass ionomer cement that reduces sensitivity. However, gold is not widely favored for dental crowns since it is not visually pleasing.

Porcelain Crowns

Full porcelain crowns are the most natural looking of all crown materials.  This is a lovely-looking crown that blends in nicely with the rest of the teeth.  Porcelain is also revered for the fact that it does not conduct hot or cold in an efficient manner.  This means sensitivity to hot and cold foods in the initial placement period is decreased.

The drawback to porcelain crowns is they can damage opposing teeth.  However, such damage is fairly rare. In many cases, damage induced by porcelain crowns is the result of excessive teeth grinding or clenching.

Porcelain Fused to Gold

A combination of porcelain and gold provides patients with the best of both materials.  Porcelain connected to gold crowns is optimal for those who are seeking a balance of strength and aesthetic appeal.  Porcelain is fused and subsequently stacked one layer upon the next atop a base of gold alloy.

The gold base serves as a form of protection for the tooth while the porcelain provides visual appeal when the patient opens his or her mouth to talk, laugh, eat and so on.

For more dental crown information or to schedule an appointment with Visalia Care Dental, request an appointment in our Visalia dental office here: https://www.dentistofvisalia.com. Or call us at (559) 975-1213.