What Is The Best Material For Crowns?
Crowns can add strength to weak teeth and protect them from further damage. These dental appliances are made from a number of different materials, however, and it can be challenging to determine which ones will fit your needs and budget. Here's more information about the dental crown materials available and the most appropriate times to use them:
Metal Crowns
Metal crowns have been around for centuries and are well-known for their durability. This isn't surprising since metal is generally long-lasting and, therefore, the best choice if you want a crown that will last for decades and cause little to no problems. Although gold is, perhaps, the most infamous and visible type of metal crown on the market, other types of metal are available, such as steel, nickel, and even silver.
Because metal is so strong, the dentist doesn't need to use much of it to form a crown, which means he or she won't need to shave as much of your natural tooth down to accommodate the crown. This lets you preserve more of your natural tooth. Additionally, cementing metal crowns in the mouth is a much simpler process and much less likely to cause sensitivity issues in this area.
However, metal conducts heat and cold more readily, which may cause tooth sensitivity for a period of time after the crowns are installed. If you have a metal allergy, then you need to be careful about which type of metal crown you get to avoid an allergic reaction in the mouth. Lastly, metal crowns aren't as visually appealing as other types of dental crowns, so they're typically best used on the rear teeth where they're unlikely to be seen.
Ceramic and Porcelain Crowns
Today, crowns are commonly made from either ceramic or porcelain. This material is popular because it closely matches the color and feel of natural teeth. When installed correctly, you and others won't be able to tell the difference between your crowns and your regular teeth, which make this type of material best for front teeth that show when you smile.
Another benefit to ceramic and porcelain crowns is they don't conduct heat or cold like metal crowns do, so you should experience little to no sensitivity after having them placed.
However, though this material is strong in its own way, ceramic and porcelain are more prone to damage. It can crack and break if it's too thin, so dentists must create thick crowns to compensate for this weakness, which means he or she will have to remove more of your natural tooth to ensure the crown fits in your mouth. You can get a composite crown made from a combination of metal and porcelain, but the porcelain portion may still crack if you have bruxism or place too much chewing force onto the tooth.
Different crown materials will be best for different situations. It's best to consult with a dentist for assistance with choosing the right one for you.
