If you need a dental crown, you’ll want to know the answer to the question “what are crowns made of?” You might even be wondering if the material type makes a difference. Let’s find out.
Typically, metals (including gold), porcelain, ceramics, and resin are used to make dental crowns. So how do you know which material type is best for you in your given situation?
The good news is that modern dental crowns are long-lasting, although slight differences may affect their lifespan.
As a general rule, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) and gold dental crowns last longest. However, they aren’t the most natural-looking.
Alternatively, all-porcelain and all-ceramic dental crowns appear more natural, but they are also prone to fragility.
If you are still confused about what crowns are made of and what works best for you, let’s break it down further.
If you need a dental crown for areas in your smile line, go for…
All-ceramic or all-porcelain
Dental crowns like these create the best combination of aesthetics and functionality. Skilled dentists can colour-match your dental crown‘s shading to blend in with the rest of your teeth for a more natural look. All-ceramic crowns are hand-crafted by a dental technician or digitally milled in the dental clinic using 3D technology.
In addition, porcelain has a translucent quality that matches the sparkle you get with natural healthy teeth. Both porcelain and all-ceramic are ideal options for those with metal allergies because they are bio-compatible (not toxic or harmful to living tissue).
If you want something slightly cheaper, you can also opt for porcelain-fused-to-metal. As the name suggests, a PFM dental crown consists of a metal base (typically cobalt, nickel, chromium, or zirconium) with a thin covering of porcelain. This base provides both the strength and the look.
Sometimes, however, the metal can start to show through as a greyish tinge down at the gum line if and when gums begin to recede.
If you need a dental crown to replace a molar, you can opt for…
A gold crown
So that you know, a gold dental crown is usually made using a gold element and a combination of other metals or alloys. There is an option for pure gold dental crowns, but as you can imagine, they are costly.
Gold dental crowns (or gold and metal alloy) are among the strongest and rarely chip or crack. They are ideal for replacing molar teeth where power is needed to grind food.
Molar teeth are located at the back of the mouth and are hidden from view. For this reason, gold dental crowns are still used to this day when protecting rear teeth.
In addition, if you have a problematic malocclusion such as a deep bite or experience regular bouts of night-time teeth grinding (bruxism), then typically, these would require the most durable and malleable dental crown material – gold!
If you are concerned with what might affect the cost, then the main factors include…
Dental crown material – What crowns are made of naturally has a direct impact on cost.
Pure gold crowns, for example, are more expensive than gold alloy or all-porcelain. Yet, all-porcelain crowns cost more than PFM varieties which in turn are more costly than resin. Resin crowns are constructed from composite material – The same material used in white fillings.
***As a side note, all-resin crowns are the least durable option available. As a result, they are used as a temporary measure only until the permanent crown is manufactured or digitally printed***
Insurance coverage – Depending upon your situation, your insurance policy may cover part or all of the cost of your dental crown. It’s well worth checking your extra’s cover to see how much (if any) of the procedure is indeed covered.
Type of procedure – In addition to dental crown material and insurance cover, one of the other factors that can dictate the cost is the type of procedure your dentist performs. While some dentists won’t charge any extra for crowning a posterior tooth such as a molar, others might. It’s helpful to be aware that varying methods may also impact the overall price.
Location – The final factor that can affect the cost of a dental crown procedure is geographic location. If your dentist uses an out-of-town or out-of-state dental lab, then the cost of fabricating and shipping can increase.
In other cases, the general cost of living in cities like Sydney or Melbourne will also impact the price.
Now you know what dental crowns are made of, how dental crowns are best used, and what affects the costs, you are in a better position to make an informed decision.
That was the plan all along, anyway!
Here at No Gaps Dental, we use the latest CEREC System. CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. This process utilises CAD/CAM technology, including virtual imaging and 3D milling that designs and makes exact-fit, lifelike restorations in the dental clinic.
Moreover, all-ceramic dental crowns are designed and fitted while you wait, negating the need for multiple dental appointments.
We’re also happy to fit other dental crowns using conventional methods. So if you want to talk to us about what dental crowns are made of or discuss what dental crown materials are best for your given situation and budget, then we’re happy to help.
We have 15 convenient locations scattered throughout the Sydney Metropolitan area, so why not book an appointment at your nearest No Gaps clinic. Our friendly teams are open, honest and take the time to explain procedures, techniques, and of course, costs in a transparent way.
Call us today on (02) 8806 0227 and experience how dentistry in Sydney and the surrounding areas should be done.