Do you have a dental crown placed? You may be impressed with your beautiful new smile and want to know more about what goes into them.
Dental crowns are usually intended to reduce the occurrence of tooth decay and damage. However, it’s not the dentist who makes them – they also match a dental crown material to your mouth.
This article gives you a comprehensive list of crown materials and what they’re made of. Ready to find out more? Keep reading on how to choose dental crown materials!
Speak With Your Dentist About the Options Available
Sometimes, your dentist may recommend metal crowns for sturdiness and durability. In contrast, other dentists may prefer porcelain crowns for their aesthetic appeal. Some people also opt for a combination of both metal and porcelain for a mix of strength and beauty.
It’s essential to speak with your dentist about all the options available. They can help determine the best material for your particular case.
Also, they will explain the pros and cons of each option and help you make the best decision for structural, functional, and cosmetic reasons. Remember that different dental crown materials suit other areas of the mouth. So it’s best to consider your dentist’s advice.
Consider Your Budget
A wide range of options are available, from gold to porcelain-fused-to-metal and all-ceramic materials. Gold is one of the most expensive options. It ranges from 14 to 24 karats and can cost up to $2000 per crown.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are more affordable. It costs around $1000 or less but is less durable than gold. All-ceramic materials such as zirconia and e-max porcelain are less costly, costing around $800 or less per tooth.
For most people, budget will be the deciding factor when choosing crowns. Given your financial restraints, it’s essential to speak with dental professionals when comparing crown costs to give them the best option.
Think About Strength and Durability
Many factors can affect the life of a crown, and solid and durable materials are often preferred because of their ability to withstand the forces of chewing, grinding, and occlusion. Not all materials are equal.
Some materials may be prone to chipping or discoloration over time. So it is essential to understand the material’s properties before deciding.
Do Some Research Into PFM Crowns
PFM crowns are usually designed to last and last over 15 years with proper care. In addition, PFM crowns are more pleasing compared to other materials. They give a natural look that resembles the patient’s tooth color.
Furthermore, PFM crowns can be custom colored to match the patient’s existing teeth so the crowns blend in. It would help if you did research should also be done to compare PFM crowns to other dental crown materials.
Think About the Color of Your Crown
Different materials can be shaded to match the color of the surrounding teeth. You can achieve it with natural tooth-like materials like zirconia and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. For these, the dentist may take the impression of the adjacent teeth and have a crown crafted to match the shade of the patient’s teeth.
Other materials like gold or base metal alloys can also be used to fabricate a dental crown, though they may not match the shade of the surrounding teeth. Regardless of the material chosen, selecting a material that produces a color that matches the adjacent teeth can help provide a natural-looking restoration.
Invasiveness of the Dental Procedure
When looking at a local dental lab, patients should ask questions about the invasiveness of the dental crown procedure and what materials will work best for their oral health. Successful crowns need less than minimal invasiveness, and the dental lab should have suitable materials in stock. They can provide various materials with less invasiveness and stress on the patient.
Invasive dental crown procedures should always be used as a last resort. Furthermore, local dental labs can adjust or remake crowns if there is an issue or the patient is unsatisfied with the outcome.
Hygiene Routine
Different materials need different maintenance levels to preserve them and ensure they look and perform their best. Hygiene routine dental crown materials are generally used to produce dental crowns that must adhere to a proper maintenance regimen to remain intact and functioning. Metal crowns can often be made from stainless steel or gold, while ceramic, porcelain, and plastic options are also available.
For metal crowns, it is vital to ensure that the material is regularly cleaned to prevent the build-up of plaque and other oral debris. Additionally, metal crowns must be polished every six months to maintain a healthy shine.
Porcelain, ceramics, and plastics also need special care; these materials must remain free of chips and cracks to continue functioning. It is important to note that it may be necessary to replace dental crowns after a certain period to take advantage of new developments in hygiene routine dental crown materials.
Biocompatibility and Toxicity
Factors to consider about biocompatibility include structural, physical, and chemical characteristics of the material and its biological response to the body. Toxicity is an important consideration when choosing dental crown materials since some of the materials, such as amalgam. These used for the crowns can be systemic, leading to severe adverse reactions for the patient.
A Guide on How to Choose Dental Crown Materials
Dental crowns can improve oral health and impact your smile for years. Make sure you choose dental crown materials that are safe, esthetically pleasing, and durable. Ensure you’re comfortable with the material choice so you can trust your crown will work well for you long-term.
You can make the best decision for your needs with the correct information. Take the time to speak with your dentist and find quality material that will last a long time. Start your journey to restoring your smile.
If you’d like to learn more about dental procedures, you should visit our blog! We’re experts in all things related to health and fitness, so you’ll want to read our articles.
