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Different Types of Dental Crowns

Different Types of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are a time-tested solution in restorative dentistry. Dental crowns are simple, tooth-shaped caps designed to restore the functionality of damaged teeth.

The team at Landmark Dental Arts in San Diego regularly utilizes crowns as a cost-effective treatment for patients who need them. If your dentist has recommended a dental crown as a part of your treatment plan, you may have a few questions at first.

We’re here to answer those questions. Let’s look at a few situations in which crowns might be needed and explore the five most common types of dental crowns near you.

Do I Actually Need Dental Crowns?

Hearing the news that you have damaged teeth isn’t always easy to swallow. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatment options available for you. Some of these include fillings, onlays, inlays, and of course,  dental crowns.

So how do you know which treatment option is best for you?

After a thorough examination of your teeth, an experienced dentist will speak with you to learn more about your unique needs. This is a great time to voice any concerns you may have,  like a limited budget, for example.

During this exam, you should ask as many questions as you need in order to feel confident that you have the best treatment plan in place before moving forward.de

Here at Landmark Dental Arts, Dr. Berry has over 35 years of experience in providing unmatched dental service. This makes him one of the most knowledgeable dentists in San Diego. You can rest assured that his diagnoses always place your interests first.

The Five Most Common Types of Dental Crowns – San Diego

Once you’ve agreed upon an appropriate treatment plan, you’ll likely want to know what types of crowns are available. Cost, aesthetics, and procedures differ from one type of crown to the next.

Here are the five main types of dental crowns used near you:

  • Porcelain/ceramic crowns
  • Metal crowns
  • Porcelain fused-to-metal crowns (PFM)
  • Zirconia crowns
  • Composite resin crowns

Let’s examine each type of crown in more detail.

Porcelain and Ceramic Crowns

Porcelain is a white ceramic material that is ideally suited for dental crowns. Porcelain crowns are some of the most popular ones, due to their visual appeal. A good porcelain crown will look almost identical to your existing teeth. They’re also a great option for individuals with metal allergies.

However, there are a few tradeoffs here. For example, all-porcelain crowns aren’t always the strongest option when it comes to capping your back teeth. For this reason, porcelain crowns are usually recommended for front teeth. Lastly, this type of crown can be more expensive than metal.

Metal Crowns

Metal crowns are ideal for damaged teeth due to their durability. There are also a wide variety of metals available. Some of the more common metals include gold, nickel, chromium, and palladium.

Metal crowns will rarely break away or chip and tend to last the longest. Additionally, they only require the removal of a very small portion of tooth matter before installation.

The largest drawback to metal crowns are their aesthetics. Metal obviously stands out more among healthy teeth. For these reasons, metal crowns are typically ideal for back teeth.

Porcelain Fused-to-Metal Crowns (PFM)

Porcelain fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns overcome the durability disadvantage of full porcelain dental crowns. This is because the underlying material of a PFM crown is encased in a durable, metal structure.

Additionally, since PFM crowns have a top layer of porcelain, these crowns look like normal teeth. They’re also more cost-effective than their full porcelain counterparts.

There are two small disadvantages to PFM crowns. If you clench your teeth a lot, PFM crowns may wear down your opposing teeth faster than a normal tooth would. Lastly, sometimes the metal in a PFM crown can leave a thin gray line at the gum line.

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia crowns combine the durability of metal with the visual appeal of porcelain. Zirconium is an easily malleable metal, which gives dentists the ability to cut and shape crowns right at the dentist’s office. This expedites the crowning process, as these crowns no longer need to be manufactured in a separate lab.

Since zirconium is biocompatible, these crown types are ideal for people with metal allergies. The only small downside to zirconium crowns is their ability to wear against normal teeth, especially if you have issues with grinding your teeth.

Composite Resin Crowns

Composite resin crowns are formed using silicon dioxide that are filled with a tooth-colored plastic material. That plastic mixture allows a dentist to perfectly match your new crown with your existing teeth.

Composite resin crowns are ideal for people with metal allergens, as they are made entirely metal-free. These crowns excel in protecting your underlying tooth from extreme temperature changes.

However, there are a few downsides to composite resin crowns. For one, a large part of your tooth must be removed before installation. Secondly, and most importantly, composite resin crowns aren’t very durable. In fact, they often require replacement every few years.

Things to Consider Before You Get a Dental Crown

Dental crowns should be utilized to protect your damaged teeth, first and foremost. Secondly, you should consider what aesthetic you want for your dental crowns. Do you want something flashy and glamorous, like gold or chromium? Or would you rather your dental crowns that match your existing tooth color?

Cost is another crucial consideration. Make sure you work with your dentist to find a solution that best matches your budget. Lastly, location and ease-of-access to care are important considerations when seeking a dental crown.

5 Most Common Types of Dental Crowns

An Experienced Dentist – 92123

If you are looking for an experienced, accommodating dentist in San Diego to provide dental crowns near you, look no further. Dr. Berry has over 35 years of experience in providing quality, long-lasting dental crowns for his patients. We’ll work with you to create a treatment plan that is as effective, affordable, and as accommodating to your needs as possible. That’s why we’re a top dental clinic for San Diego.

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Landmark Dental Arts
4540 Kearny Villa Road, Suite 116
San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: 858-571-3534
Fax: (858) 571-5826

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