The TecBlast Blog

The first dental crowns, made between 2500 and 1200 years ago, were made from natural teeth, bone, ivory and even sea shells. That knowledge disappeared for 1500 years; when it was rediscovered in the 18th century, dental surgeons turned to metal and porcelain.

Porcelain is still used, as is metal. There are other methods for creating dental crowns however, as well as other materials. If you are going to have dental crowns put in place, the materials and methods your dentist will use depend on a number of factors - and each of these materials has specific advantages and disadvantages.

Metal

Different types of metals were among the first modern materials used in the creation of dental crowns, and are still employed by cosmetic dentists today. Gold and gold-alloys are common, as are alloys of palladium, nickel and chromium.

Advantages: Metal crowns are exceptionally durable; they can withstand the pressures of biting and chewing better than most other materials. Because of this, the dentists needs to remove less of the original tooth material in order to place the crowns.

Disadvantages: There is no way to hide the metallic color. For this reason, the use of metal dental crowns is usually confined to the molars, where they are less likely to be seen.

All Porcelain

These are the most natural-looking of all dental crowns. They are a good choice for people whose mouth tissues may become irritated from the presence of metal.

Advantages: They are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.

Disadvantages: They are weaker than porcelain-fused-to-metal; they also can cause excessive wear on the healthy opposing teeth.

Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal

This is exactly what it sounds like; a layer of porcelain over a metal core, which is then placed over the tooth.

Advantages: These are more natural-looking than dental crowns made from other materials; like all-porcelain crowns, they can readily be colored to match the patient’s natural dentition.

Disadvantages: The porcelain is more liable to break or crack; sometimes, the underlying metal can cause the surface of these crowns to appear discolored, particularly near the gum line.

All-Resin

These dental crowns are made from a form of epoxy resin similar to that used in epoxy adhesives.

Advantages: All-resin crowns are perhaps the most economical type of dental crowns.

Disadvantages: They wear down relatively quickly and are more likely to crack. If you are to receive dental crowns, chances are that your dentist initially fit you with temporary ones made from acrylic or stainless steel until the permanent ones can be completed by a professional dental laboratory