The Types of Dental Crowns You Should Know About

When you're in the market for dental crowns, you have many options to choose from. Most are designed to resemble real teeth as closely as possible. However, there are some that are made out of certain metals such as gold. 

To answer the question, "What do dental crowns do?" they are important for ensuring that you can bite and speak properly. Without a tooth or several teeth, you might have trouble chewing food or pronouncing certain words. They are also important for restoring self-confidence since may can get embarrassed about having a missing tooth. 

Even if you still have all your teeth but some of them are damaged, you can get crowns to cover them. Doing this will protect the original tooth (because it acts much like a cap over your old tooth) and it will also improve your smile. The first type of crown you should know about is made of gold. 

These, as you can imagine, are the most expensive type (they might cost several thousand dollars). They are also not perfect for everyone since some may not want the extra attention a gold crown might provide. However, gold offer the advantage of being very durable. 

In fact, gold seems to be as strong as tooth enamel which is the strongest tissue in the body. For that reason, even though a gold crown might be expensive, you will certainly get the most out of your investment since it will last such a long time. Beyond the appearance, the other downside is that some people may have allergic reactions to the gold. 

So, what if you want a crown that is durable but also looks like a real tooth? Your best bet might be porcelain.

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain is one of the most popular types of crowns since they are able to look so realistic. As such, most dentists, including your local dentist, Fort Mill, SC, use them.

Porcelain crowns are also known as ceramic crowns and they are very flexible in terms of appearance. Your dentist will be able to help you pick the right porcelain that most closely resembles the color of your teeth. 

The closer your artificial tooth resembles the color of your teeth, the more realistic the result. Most people won't even be able to tell that you have an artificial tooth unless you tell them. Porcelain crowns are also great for matching the shape and size of the rest of your teeth. 

You also don't have to worry about any metal allergies or toxins because porcelain does not contain any kind of metal. However, if you are missing a tooth, you may need to have a metal post put into your gums to support the artificial tooth. Posts are usually made out of titanium or surgical steel to reduce any irritation and prevent allergies. 

While porcelain crowns are very strong, they are not quite as strong as metal. However, you shouldn't let that deter you from getting porcelain crowns. As long as you take care of them, they should still last you a very long time. 

The main downside is the cost. Because porcelain looks so realistic, it tends to be more expensive than metal. You may end up spending several thousand dollars per porcelain tooth. However, if you only need a couple of crowns, this might not be a problem. 

Zirconia Crowns

What are dental crowns if not stronger and better versions of your real teeth? Zirconium is a new material that many dentists are starting to use because it is so strong. Some argue that zirconia is as strong as metal. 

The advantage is that not only are zirconia crowns very strong but they are also very realistic in appearance. This is because of how the zirconium material is layered over itself to give it a translucent appearance like real teeth. If you tend to be a bit rough with your teeth, zirconia may be the best option for you. 

They have a very low likelihood of chipping or cracking even if you eat hard foods. This, of course, doesn't mean you should be crunching on ice all day to see how durable your artificial teeth are. The main downside is that because zirconia crowns are so strong, they may end up damaging your surrounding teeth over time. 

Zirconia crowns can also be quite expensive and are often more than porcelain. 

Everything You Need to Know About the Different Types of Dental Crowns

It can be hard to decide on dental crowns if you aren't familiar with the types. By knowing the difference between metal, porcelain, and zirconia, you can be confident that you'll be able to make the right dental choice for yourself. 

To learn more about dental crowns and other dental services, click here.