Crowns

Crowns are used to replace broken, damaged or severely decayed teeth. In the past, if you needed a dental crown you had only one option: a metal crown; usually made from gold. But, with advances in the strength and durability of ceramics, you now have a choice between traditional metal crowns; porcelain crowns fused to metal; porcelain onlays; or crowns made entirely from porcelain or reinforced resin.

Crowns

Which type of crown is right for me?

1. Porcelain and Reinforced Resin Crowns

Crowns made from porcelain, or fibre-reinforced resin, are bonded to your existing tooth. These crowns have a lifelike translucency, they're metal-free and they provide the closest match to your existing teeth.

All porcelain and reinforced resin crowns are the most expensive alternative, and they can be more fragile than other types of crown, but because they look so natural, they're particularly suitable for front teeth.

2. Porcelain Onlays

Porcelain onlays are similar to bonded porcelain crowns but, unlike crowns, an onlay only covers the chewing surface of the tooth.

By fitting an onlay, we preserve more of the original tooth and keep the crown as far away from the gum as possible – this conserves healthy tooth structure and reduces gum inflammation.

3. Porcelain Crowns Fused to Metal

Porcelain crowns fused to metal are porcelain crowns with a metal substructure. They are stronger than crowns made entirely of porcelain but they lack the translucency of natural teeth and, in some cases, a dark line is visible between the crown and the gum.

Before		After

For teeth that are towards the back of the mouth, but that still show when you smile, a porcelain fused to metal crown is a good choice.

4. Gold Crowns

Gold is easier to work with than porcelain; so gold crowns can provide the most accurate fit. They are stronger than porcelain and less likely to chip or crack so gold crowns provide a long-lasting, cheaper alternative to porcelain.

Gold crowns don't have the natural appearance of porcelain but they do offer a durable, comfortable and less expensive solution for damaged back teeth that don't show when you smile. Since they can be constructed in thinner sections than bonded crowns, gold crowns tend to be used where the bite is very tight.

5. General recommendations

In situations where there is a high amount of concern about appearance, a bonded all porcelain crown (metal-free) is the nicest restoration. For the front teeth, the advantage is its natural, lifelike translucency and not having to deal with the possibility of the potentially unsightly dark line at the gumline of the tooth. For back teeth, the advantage of a porcelain crown or onlay is the conservation of healthy tooth structure and kindness to the gums.

Where appearance is no concern to you, a gold crown is a logical choice, because it has the best fit and the best chance of lasting the longest. It will never crack or chip.

For teeth that are toward the back but that still show when you smile, a porcelain fused to metal crown is a good choice. Because it isn't in such a prominent position, it usually looks very natural, and although it's not indestructible, it's strong enough to resist the heaviest biting stresses.

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