What Type of Dental Crown Should You Choose?
What Are Dental Crowns?
They are tooth-shaped oral appliances that repair and restore teeth. Dental crowns near you focus on restoring the external structure of natural teeth, particularly the outermost layer called enamel. A dentist near you would need to remove a sizeable portion of your natural tooth enamel before installing dental crowns in Smithtown, NY.
Dental crowns mimic the top part of a tooth, encapsulating it entirely. It is why dental experts at Joseph B Pantaleo DDS sometimes refer to dental crowns as dental caps. In this way, dental crowns cater to the function of teeth, not just the aesthetics.
What Are the Types of Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns differ based on the material. Dentistry capitalizes on different materials to create oral appliances, the common ones being metal, porcelain, and composites. The common types of dental crowns are:
- Gold crowns – feature a metal alloy, with gold as the primary component. Gold crowns are very sturdy, making them suitable for back teeth restorations. These dental crowns are known to wear down pretty slowly, similar to natural teeth enamel. The cost of gold dental crowns ranges from $600-$2,500 per tooth.
- Porcelain crowns – are made of ceramic or porcelain, a tooth-colored natural-looking material. These crowns are very aesthetically pleasing, closely mimicking the look and feel of natural teeth. Besides matching the color of your natural teeth, porcelain dental crowns are bio-compatible. It means they are free of toxins that might affect your oral health. The cost of these dental crowns ranges from $800-$3,000 per tooth.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns – feature both porcelain and metal material. The metal creates the base of the dental crown, while the porcelain overlays it for an aesthetic effect. These dental crowns are the middle ground for people who want metallic crowns but still want to benefit from the aesthetics of porcelain. The cost of porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns ranges from $500-$1,500 per tooth.
- Zirconia crowns – they are ideally the newest dental crowns in town. Zirconium combines the strengths of porcelain and metal dental crowns to create the perfect combination. The material is highly translucent, providing incredible aesthetics, but stronger than porcelain regarding resistance to wear and tear. The cost of Zirconia dental crowns is approximately similar to that of porcelain crowns, ranging between $800-$3,000 per tooth.
Which Dental Crowns Are the Best?
Choosing the perfect dental crown depends on various factors, including the following:
- Aesthetic preferences – if you do not mind the metallic color of your smile, you can opt for metal-based dental crowns. Otherwise, porcelain dental crowns are a better fit for aesthetic-conscious patients.
- Sturdiness – the strength of the material will affect the function of your teeth when eating and chewing.
- Location of restoration – the consideration for a dental crown for your front teeth should be different from your back teeth. For the front teeth, you must prioritize aesthetics while prioritizing strength for the back teeth.
- Wear and tear – find a dental crown that is highly resistant and can withstand repeated chewing and biting. Patients with bruxism, which features excess teeth grinding, are especially not great candidates for dental crowns that can wear down easily.
- Impact on adjacent teeth – dental crowns can gradually wear down adjacent teeth. The material plays a big role in determining the extent of damage your teeth will suffer after getting dental crowns. For example, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns can leave gray or brown lines on your teeth near the gum line.
- Cost – some dental crowns are more expensive than others due to the cost of the material. Many insurance companies cover up to 50% of the overall cost of dental crowns. However, it differs from one insurance to another. If you cannot meet the remaining cost of your preferred dental crowns, consider the alternative.
- Bio-compatibility – some people have adverse allergic reactions to metal-based oral applications. Notify your dentist about your allergic triggers before determining the best dental crown for you.
Summary
In the end, you have to pick a dental crown that best suits your needs and preferences. What works for one patient may not be favorable to another. The best way to figure it out is by liaising with your dentist about your options,