This article on What Is the Best Dental Crown Material?
The majority of American adults go to the dentist twice a year, according to the American Dental Association. Whether you’re a regular at your dentist’s office, or you’ve skipped a few appointments over the years, you’re facing a bit of a problem: you need a dental crown.
A dental crown is a great way to restore function to a damaged tooth. It slides over the top of the tooth in question, strengthening it so you can use it just as you did before.
With such an important job to do, you don’t want your dental crown to be made of something flimsy. Instead, pick the best dental crown material for you with this information in mind.
Porcelain
If you want a natural-looking crown, then porcelain may be the best dental crown material for you. As you know, it’s a very light shade, one that would match the color of your teeth.
It’s not all about aesthetics with porcelain, though. This material is durable enough to withstand the wear and tear that comes with chewing. It can last for years — and it doesn’t stain easily, either.
Gold
One downside of a porcelain crown is that it can be a bit abrasive to the teeth surrounding it. You don’t have to worry about that side effect if you swap porcelain for gold.
Gold makes for a great dental crown because it’s incredibly durable – of all the different dental crown materials, it’s the strongest. And, with proper dental hygiene, a gold crown can last a lifetime.
As you learn how to get dental crowns, though, you may shy from gold because it will be a visible part of your smile. Luckily, you still have the option of porcelain – and zirconia.
Zirconia
Now, let’s say you want something that falls between gold and porcelain. You want the durability and the gentleness of gold, but you don’t want something in such a bright color. That’s where you start considering porcelain…
Or, you could choose to talk to your dentist about zirconia, an artificial stone that has a similar makeup to titanium. However, its color is closer to the color of your smile than the shiny steel-colored metal. It’s not quite as close to a natural smile as porcelain, but it’s a good enough dupe – and one that comes with added durability
The great thing about zirconia is that it can withstand pressure – so much so that dentists tend to recommend it as the crown material for molars, which do most of the chewing. It’s also a non-reactive substance, which means your oral bacteria won’t corrode or otherwise degrade it over time.
Which Dental Crown Material Should I Choose?
In the end, these are just three options in the realm of dental crown materials. Each one has its merits — but only you can decide which one is right for your smile.
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