Most Popular Types of Dental Crown Materials

Talk of topping your tooth with a dental crown can be stressful. How will it feel? How will it function? What will it look like? Will you be able to smile? Discovering that various dental crown materials can make the situation seem even more overwhelming. Don’t panic. Having options is a good thing; your dentist can help you choose the right type of crown for your needs. Here are the most popular dental crown materials we work with.

Understanding the Benefits of Dental Crowns

If a tooth is too damaged or weakened by injury or decay, a filling may not fix it. Crowns are often preferred in these scenarios. These tooth-shaped caps cover damaged teeth. They can also cover a dental implant or support a bridge. Once they’re in place, crowns generally feel like regular teeth. Even though getting a crown is a standard dental procedure, the differences lie in how they look. That depends on the material you select.

Exploring Dental Crown Materials

Does discussing dental crowns have you picturing gold or silver teeth? While metal crowns are possible, people today prefer crowns that match the rest of their smile. With modern dental materials, there are several crown material options. Exploring the ins and outs of these options with your dentist can help you find the perfect crown for your situation.

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are sometimes referred to as Bruxir, white metal or Zirconia crowns, are among the most popular type of crowns today. They blend almost seamlessly into your smile. Zirconia delivers excellent durability. You can expect years of service from your crown without any special care. There are a few different kinds of these crowns. Some are made completely of Zirconia.  Others feature Emax porcelain fused to a Zirconia base for more cosmetic areas of your smile.

Emax Crowns

Emax crowns are meticulously carved from lithium disilicate ceramic, a material with flexural strength that makes it three times stronger than other ceramic crowns. As a result, an Emax crown will mix in with your natural teeth beautifully and provide unmatchable strength. Plus, an Emax crown can be thinner, so less of your tooth must be shaved away to make room for the crown to fit. That means more of your natural tooth can be preserved. In addition, the Emax material is biocompatible, so there’s no risk of allergic reactions.

CEREC Crowns

CEREC crowns are ideal for people who recognize that both time and teeth are precious. With a traditional crown, you’ll need to make two visits. On the first, the dentist takes impressions, sends them to a lab to make your new crown, and fits you with a temporary crown. On the second, you return weeks later to be fitted with your new crown. A CEREC crown allows you to speed through the process and walk out with a permanent, high-quality crown that matches your smile in a single visit. The process uses high-definition cameras and CAD technology to design and mill your new CEREC crown from a piece of ceramic in your dentist’s office while you wait.

Choose The Dental Crown Material That Works Best For You!

At Wekiva Dental, healthy smiles are our specialty. If you think you need a crown, we hope this article has been helpful. If you have any questions regarding dental crown materials, we’re ready to help. Contact Wekiva Dental today to schedule a consultation.