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Metals Used in Dental Crowns

When decay has left a tooth weakened or misshapen, a dental crown can help to restore strength. Made to fit over or cover the tooth, a crown can come in permanent or temporary form and can be made from a variety of substances.

  1. Metal Alloys

    • Made from a combination of metals to provide strength to the tooth, metal crowns can be a combination of gold, palladium, nickel, or chromium, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Metal crowns are very strong, and can support a significant amount of chewing and biting, making it an ideal fit for crowns on the back teeth. The chief detriment to this type of crown is the color, which is why it may not be suitable for more visible teeth.

    Porcelain Fused To Metal

    • Created with the purpose of harnessing a metal crown's strength with a porcelain crown's appearance, a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown is not as durable as a metal crown. While this crown can appear much like a normal tooth, the metal part can also create a visible line. For this reason, the crown material is best utilized as a middle-to-back tooth cover.

    All Resin

    • Shaped to match a tooth's prior shape, resin has the look of a natural tooth. Another benefit is that this type of material tends to be less costly than metal or porcelain-on-metal crowns. However, an all-resin crown is more prone to easy breakage and may not last for an extended period of time.

    All Ceramic or All Porcelain

    • These types of crowns provide the best color match for the front teeth. Because they are not made of metal, those who are sensitive to certain metals may experience more long-term wear with this type of crown. Because they do not have metal's benefits of strength and durability, all-ceramic or all-resin crowns may wear down over time and need replacing more often than metal alloys.

    Temporary

    • Sometimes a dentist may need to place a temporary crown to protect the tooth while the permanent crown is being made. In this instance, the crown is made of acrylic polymer or stainless steel and is removed when the permanent crown is ready to be put on.

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