Tooth Crown Types and Cost: Complete Guide to Dental Crowns
A weakened or damaged tooth can impact more than your smile. It can make even common activities like eating, talking, or just smiling painful. One of the surest measures that dentists can take to restore damaged teeth and keep them safe from future issues is dental crowns.
Many patients searching online about tooth crown types and cost like to know which crown option suits them the most. Familiarizing yourself with the different teeth caps types will allow you to decide confidently on how to restore your tooth and protect your oral health.
Before we go over each option in detail, let’s take a look at the most common types of dental crowns.
Types of Tooth Crowns
Crown Type | Material Used | Best For |
Porcelain Crown | Dental porcelain | Front teeth restorations |
Zirconia Crown | Zirconium oxide | Front and back teeth |
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crown | Porcelain with a metal base | Strong and aesthetic restorations |
| Metal Crown | Gold or metal alloy | Back molars |
| Ceramic Crown | Advanced ceramic | Natural-looking restorations |
These dental crown materials are common in dentistry, and each comes with pros and cons that depend on where the tooth lies and the requirements of a patient.
What Is a Tooth Crown?
A tooth crown is custom-designed to fit like a cap over a broken or compromised tooth. It returns the tooth’s shape, size and strength while protecting it from further damage.
Dentists typically recommend crowns for a tooth that is:
- Severely decayed
- Cracked or broken
- Worn down from grinding
- Treated with a root canal
- Not strong enough to hold a big filling
In such instances, a dental crown treatment restores the tooth’s function and prevents the progression of structural damage.
- Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns are among the best methods to restore front teeth. Emax porcelain veneers closely replicate the natural color and translucency of real teeth and are great for patients wanting a natural smile.
Porcelain crowns are usually used for visual teeth due to their great aesthetic qualities. These crowns are crafted by dentists to be aesthetic, such that they match the adjacent teeth and fit into your smile exactly.
Due to the superb cosmetic results that porcelain delivers, patients invariably investigate tooth crown types and price when selecting between it and other components.
2. Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia crowns are strong and durable. These crowns are made of zirconium oxide and tolerate heavy chewing force, so they can be used on front and back teeth.
The biggest advantage of zirconia crowns is that they allow you both strong teeth and aesthetic appearance. They are a popular choice for patients seeking durable replacement that does not sacrifice aesthetics.
For many researching tooth crown types and cost, zirconia crowns strike a balance between strength, longevity and natural aesthetics.
3. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns (PFM)
These crowns have a metal foundation and porcelain on top. While the metal structure is sturdy, the porcelain-coated surface adds to the overall appeal.
PFM crowns have been successfully used in dentistry for years and are still a staple solution for restoring damaged teeth. The material is appropriate for front and back teeth and withstands normal chewing pressure.
But over time, a metal edge may become visible near the gum line; thus, some patients favour metal-free, or all-ceramic crowns.
4. Metal Crowns
Metal crowns are made of gold or strong metal alloys. While they are not as aesthetically pleasing as their natural teeth counterparts, they offer strength and wear resistance.
Metal crowns are typically advised for back molars because these teeth endure the greatest chewing pressure. Metal crowns also require less natural tooth structure to be removed during preparation.
Metal crowns are a more practical and durable option for patients where strength and longevity are the most important factors.
5. Ceramic Crowns
Ceramic crowns are ideal for patients seeking a metal-free dental restoration. They look very natural and are often used for front teeth.
Ceramic material enables dentists to perfectly match the shade of surrounding teeth, making the crown virtually indistinguishable from natural enamel.
Ceramic crowns are often the type of choice for patients looking for more aesthetic Teeth caps types.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
With that said, dental crowns are permanent restorations. Most crowns last 10 to 15 years, and sometimes longer, with good care.
To prolong the life of your crown:
- Brush twice daily
- Floss regularly
- Avoid chewing extremely hard foods
- Go have regular check-ups at your dentist
Maintaining proper oral hygiene is super important to keep your crown in good condition and function.
Do You Need a Dental Crown?
When a tooth cannot be repaired with a simple filling, dentists recommend crowns. Crowns offer complete coverage, protection and aid in restoring the strength of the tooth.
You might need a crown in cases such as:
- After a root canal treatment
- When a tooth has a big cavity
- When a tooth is damaged or weakened
- To restore worn-down teeth
If a tooth is damaged or weakened, consulting your dentist for a dental crown can restore its strength and protect your long-term oral health.
Dentists often recommend a crown after a root canal treatment to protect the weakened tooth. If you want to understand why this procedure is performed, read our detailed guide on Root Canal Is for What.
Final Thoughts
It makes tooth restoration easier for patients when they understand tooth crown types and cost. Dental crowns are placed on weak teeth for support, strength and cosmetic reasons to help with chewing.
That said, educating patients about the different crowns available can help them choose one that suits their needs and lifestyle.
If you have damage to or pain in your tooth, an early visit with a dentist can help save your tooth and preserve a healthy smile for the years to come.
