Types of Tooth Caps

A tooth cap, also called a dental crown, is a cap that is placed over a normal tooth. A dental crown may be used to bring a small peg-like tooth up to normal size, reinforce a weak tooth, fix a damaged tooth, cover a stained or misshapen tooth for cosmetic purposes or to support a dental bridge. Several different types of tooth caps are available, and each varies in price, quality, durability and availability.

Metal

• A metal tooth cap is composed entirely of a metal alloy. Unlike other types of dental crowns, a metal cap does not blend in with the other teeth and looks like metal. While the color of the cap is unnatural, metal crowns offer some benefits not found with other tooth caps. A metal crown is more durable than ceramic or porcelain, is not prone to tooth-chipping, doesn't wear down quickly and is the least abrasive cap to the teeth near it. Metal tooth caps are often recommended for molars in the back of the mouth where they're not likely to be seen.

Porcelain and Metal

• A porcelain and metal cap is a metal cap with a porcelain cover on it. Unlike a cap composed entirely of a metal alloy, a porcelain-covered metal cap can be color matched to the surrounding teeth. The downsides to a porcelain and metal cap include less durability, increased wear over time and the possibility of the porcelain thinning enough for the metal to show through.

Porcelain or Ceramic

• An all-porcelain (or all-ceramic) tooth cap is the best choice for an individual concerned with the appearance of the cap. Unlike a resin, all-metal or porcelain and metal cap, an all-porcelain cap can be more easily colored to match surrounding teeth and has a more natural appearance. The downsides of an all-porcelain cap include an increased weakness versus metal caps and increased wear on the surrounding teeth.

Resin

• A resin tooth cap is the most inexpensive of all dental caps. The material is known to wear down and break easier than metal or porcelain and metal crowns.