Not all dental crowns are the same. The type of dental crown used on a patient depends on why the crown is needed, and the personal preferences of the individual patient. Here are just some of the types of dental crowns many of the best dentists in Sterling, VA use with their patients today:
Stainless Steel Crowns
This type of dental crown is usually pre-fabricated, and used mostly as a temporary solution while a permanent crown is being fitted and fabricated using a different material. It protects teeth from further decay while waiting for the permanent crown to be available. It is also commonly used in children as it comes out along with the primary or baby tooth when it gives way for growing permanent teeth.
Metal Crowns
This crown is made out of metal alloys like palladium or gold alloys, and is used mainly to cover molars that are not visible since these types of crowns do not appear at all natural. Metal dental crowns are the toughest of all the different crown types; however, metal crowns do the least damage to the teeth opposite.
Porcelain (fused to metal) Crowns
This is a sort of hybrid crown with the base made out of metal alloys with porcelain fused to it to make it look appear more like natural teeth. The problem with this type of crown is that it may cause the teeth opposite to experience wear much faster, and the porcelain portion may chip off, revealing the metal underneath.
Resin Crowns
Crowns made out of resin are cheaper than any other type of crown; however, they do not last as long as other dental crowns do. Resin dental crowns wear down faster, and may fracture easily when biting on something hard.
All Porcelain/Ceramic Crowns
This type of dental crown is the best choice to use on front teeth because it looks very natural, and because the front teeth arenât exposed to as much stress as molars are. They wear down faster than metal crowns, and may cause wear on opposing teeth.
Zirconia Crowns
The latest in medical and dental technology, zirconia, or milled dental crowns, are digitally created. Unlike traditional permanent crowns that need to be fitted and created in a lab, this type of dental crown can be fabricated using special software and hardware. The crown is made while the patient waits, so thereâs no need for temporary crowns.
Dental crowns not only make our smiles look better, they also protect damaged teeth from further damage. Your choice of dental crown depends on the reason why you need them, and whether you want them to look as natural as possible. Price will also be a consideration, as the more natural looking dental crowns are more expensive.