4 Types of Dental Crowns and Which is Right for You

When your dentist tells you you need a dental crown, several questions may immediately flood your mind. Will it look natural? How long will it last? Can I afford the procedure? With modern dentistry offering everything from traditional gold to cutting-edge zirconia, finding your ideal crown match becomes a balance between aesthetics, durability, and cost. The perfect crown for your specific situation depends not just on the tooth’s location but also on your lifestyle, budget, and smile goals.

At Dental Group of Chicago, we provide comprehensive crown services to help restore your smile’s functionality and appearance. Our team is committed to delivering accessible dental care with extended hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday appointments. This ensures even the busiest patients can receive the necessary preventative and restorative care.

Main Types of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are made of several materials, each with its own advantages and limitations. From metal to porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-ceramic, porcelain, and zirconia, there is a dental crown option to meet the needs of every patient we treat.

Metal Crowns

Metal crowns are primarily made from gold or base-metal alloys such as nickel-chromium. These crowns offer exceptional benefits, including:

• Minimal tooth structure removal
• Withstand biting and chewing forces exceptionally well
• Rarely chip or break
• Last longer than most other crown types with a 95% survival rate after 10 years
• Cause minimal wear to opposing teeth

However, the primary drawback of metal crowns is their color, making them more suitable for out-of-sight molars where strength is prioritized over aesthetics.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns

These hybrid crowns combine a metal structure with a porcelain exterior, offering strength and aesthetics. The metal provides the durability needed for chewing forces, while the porcelain layer creates a natural-looking appearance. Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns offer several advantages, including:

• More natural appearance than full metal crowns
• Strong bond to the tooth due to the metal structure
• A durable option that can withstand considerable force
• Versatile application for front or back teeth
• More affordable than all-ceramic options

Over time, however, the crown’s porcelain portion may chip or show a dark line near the gumline as gums recede. This aesthetic limitation has led many patients to choose other options for their visible front teeth.

All-Ceramic or All-Porcelain Crowns

All-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns provide unmatched aesthetic benefits for patients seeking the most natural-looking restoration. These crowns are metal-free and can be color-matched to your natural teeth. They are particularly advantageous for:

• Front teeth restoration where appearance is paramount
• Patients with metal allergies
• Creating seamless smile restorations
• Maintaining natural light transmission through the tooth

Modern ceramic and porcelain materials have significantly improved in strength over the years. However, they may still not be as durable as metal or PFM crowns for high-pressure areas like molars.

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia crowns represent the latest advancement in dental crown technology, offering an optimal balance between strength and aesthetics. Made from zirconium dioxide, these crowns provide exceptional durability while maintaining a natural appearance. Zirconia’s impressive properties include:

• Strength comparable to metal crowns
• Better aesthetic outcomes than metal options
• Excellent biocompatibility with oral tissues
• Minimal wear on opposing teeth
• Less tooth structure removal is required compared to other aesthetic options

For many patients, zirconia crowns offer the “best of both worlds” approach, particularly for back teeth where both strength and moderate aesthetics are desired.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Crown

Selecting the right crown type involves weighing several essential factors, including the location, functional requirements, and cost considerations.

Location of the Tooth

The position of the tooth in your mouth significantly influences your crown selection. Front teeth primarily need aesthetic solutions like all-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns, while molars require strength-focused options like metal or zirconia.

Teeth in the “smile zone” are visible when you talk and smile, making a natural appearance a priority. Conversely, back teeth absorb tremendous pressure during chewing, making durability the primary concern.

Functional Requirements

Your bite pattern, grinding habits, and chewing force affect crown longevity. Patients who clench or grind their teeth typically benefit from stronger materials like zirconia or metal to prevent premature wear or damage.

When these factors conflict, durability should take precedence over aesthetics for teeth that serve critical functional roles in chewing or supporting other dental appliances.

Cost Considerations

Dental crown prices vary significantly based on material choice and complexity. While metal crowns are generally less expensive, all-ceramic, all-porcelain, and zirconia options command premium prices due to their advanced materials and fabrication processes.

Discussing insurance coverage with our team is essential, as many dental insurance plans cover crowns at different percentages depending on whether they’re classified as medically necessary or cosmetic procedures.

Trust Dental Group of Chicago for Your Dental Crown

At Dental Group of Chicago, we understand each patient has unique needs when it comes to dental crowns. Our extended hours ensure busy professionals and families can access quality dental care without disrupting their schedules. We pride ourselves on offering comprehensive consultations, during which we thoroughly explain all available options and provide transparent information about materials, costs, and expected outcomes.

Our team of dedicated dental professionals has extensive experience with all types of crown materials and techniques. We are committed to guiding you through the selection process to ensure you receive the restoration that best meets your functional needs, aesthetic preferences, and budget considerations. To schedule your consultation, call us at (312) 588-0043 or fill out our contact form.