Get The Facts About Crowns

Different Types of Crown (Caps)  

 There are a number of factors that need to be considered when making the decision of restoring the tooth with a crown restoration. In general, there are 3 different types of crown restorations: Metal, Porcelain-Fused-to Metal (PFM) and all Ceramic.

Metal Crowns are fabricated entirely out of metal. There are a number of types of dental alloys; they are high noble metal (precious), noble metal (semiprecious) and non-noble metal (base).

High noble alloys contain 60% noble metal (gold, platinum, and/or palladium), of which over 40% is gold. Noble alloys contain 25% noble metal.  Non-noble alloys contain less than 25% noble metal with the other contents being nickel, chromium or beryllium. Some people are allergic to nickel.

The advantages of metal crowns are strength, longevity, biocompatibility, and good fit.  Metal crowns have high strength and toughness that resist fracture and wear. They provide a good seal against leakages. The high noble metals are the most biocompatible to the gingival tissues.

The disadvantages of metal crowns are esthetics, sensitivity and cost. The metal colors are silver or gold and they do not mimic natural teeth.  Teeth may be sensitive to hot and cold after crown cementation.  Some people reported that they are allergic to non-noble alloy such as nickel. Noble and high noble metals cost more than the non-noble metals.

All metal crowns are good choices for patients with strong bites and those with parafunctional habits, such as grinding or clenching.