What Are The Different Types Of Dental Crowns?
Whether you are unhappy with the existing shape of a tooth or you have a tooth that is broken or chipped, you can have a dental crown placed over it to make the tooth look as good as new. Most people are fairly familiar with dental crowns and how they work, but a lot of people do not know that there are actually several different kinds of dental crowns available. There can be advantages to each type of crown, so it is a good idea to get to know some of the options a little better before you go to a dentist, like Rutherford Gregory S DDS.
All-Metal Crowns
All-metal crowns are a little older than most crown types, but they do still make a good option for some people. As their name suggests, these crowns are made of all metal alloy or even gold or silver, which means they are extremely durable. The alloyed materials are also a lot like the regular tooth enamel that you already have on neighboring teeth, so they will not cause problems if placed over a tooth in close proximity to others. Some dentists prefer to use metal crowns because they are easier to shape and form to get a precise fit.
PFM Crowns
PFM, which stands for porcelain fused to metal, are crowns that are created with porcelain and metal alloys combined. These crowns have a metal core, but they are coated with porcelain to provide the look of a natural tooth when the crown is placed in the mouth. The PFM crown has a full list of advantages, which is why it is one of the most common options. Firstly, PFM crowns have a sturdy structure that is a little less likely to break down over time. Second, if the porcelain part of the PFM crown wears down or breaks, a new porcelain piece can be applied without having to fully remove the crown.
Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns are made entirely of porcelain material, which is basically an engineered type of ceramic that is specifically created for use in dental prosthetics and treatments. Porcelain crowns, which your dentist may also call ceramic crowns, have perhaps the most natural appearance, but some of them may not be as strong as other types of crowns. Some people do prefer porcelain crowns because of their aesthetics, so knowing the crowns will have to be replaced sooner is not a big deal to some patients.