When a tooth is too damaged to get by with a filling, or even with a porcelain onlay, it can be strengthened and preserved with a dental crown. Crowns are sometimes called caps because they cover the whole tooth, protecting all its surfaces and providing a new chewing surface.
In recent years, gold crowns have been less popular because white porcelain crowns look better. They match your natural teeth and no-one can identify them as being crowns. Many cosmetic dentists do not offer gold crowns because they want to run a metal-free dental practice.
However, gold alloy is still a good option if you need a crown. You can also choose from two types of porcelain crown:
All-porcelain crowns with a ceramic lining; and
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) crowns with a metal lining
Some cosmetic dentists offer PFM crowns and others do not. However, family or general dentists offer them and they are a little easier on the pocketbook than all-porcelain crowns. Gold crowns are easier too.
All-Porcelain vs. PFM Crowns
All-porcelain crowns have a ceramic lining, usually made of zirconia. One advantage of that is the lining’s white color. At first, the lining is not visible, as the gums cover it at the edge of the crown. As we age, the gums slowly recede and after a number of years you can start to see a black streak along the gumline where the metal lining is becoming visible. If the crown is all-porcelain, the lining is not noticeable, since it is white.
Another advantage of all-porcelain crowns is that they have a slightly more pearly-white look. The metal lining of a PFM crown is dark in color. Since both tooth enamel and dental porcelain are semi-translucent, the light that penetrates the PFM porcelain reaches the dark metal lining and this creates a slightly less shiny look compared to all-porcelain crowns. However, both types look pleasing and will be well-matched to your natural tooth color.
Gold Crowns
When the damage is on a back tooth, a gold crown is the traditional choice. It is still an excellent choice if you are not concerned about their high visibility. When they are not visible in a person’s smile, their color often does not matter. In other respects they are high-quality crowns:
They are the right hardness to provide a strong chewing surface
They are soft enough not to damage the opposing tooth
They are very durable and never lose their clean-looking appearance
Whichever type you choose, your new crown will give you many years of service if you care for it well. It needs the same good hygiene as you teeth do – daily flossing and brushing, regular check-ups, and professional cleaning by your dental hygienist.
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