Which Type of Dental Crown is Best?

What’s the difference between porcelain dental crowns and porcelain fused metal crowns? Generally speaking in terms of aesthetics porcelain crowns are more natural as it does not contain any metals so it provides the most natural look.

A dental implant is the closest to a real tooth substitute and is made of several components. One complete dental implant has artificial root, abutment and the crown and the majority of dental implant costs include the components mentioned. However, the difference in price is down to difference in materials used for the dental implant.

The prices of implant vary due to different brands and each brand has its unique craftsmanship and choice of materials. As for the crown it usually comes with the implant and there is a choice of a porcelain fused metal crown or porcelain crown.

Difference Between Porcelain Fused to Metal & Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain fused to metal crowns is where the inner layer is made of metal and the outer material is porcelain. Once fitted the crown looks like a natural tooth, however under a bright light, the underlying metal will have a dark shadow and over a period of time a dark line may be visible especially along the gum line as the gum recedes.  

As for all porcelain crowns, the whole crown is made of porcelain and does not contain any metals and is the most natural looking. However, if the implant you have chosen is paired with porcelain fused to metal crown then you will have to pay extra to change for an all porcelain crown.  

Getting a Porcelain Crown on Your Tooth

What to do if your tooth has cracked or broken? Is it best to get crown? This is a question that a lot of patients ask but before getting a crown you will have to have the enamel removed. In some cases you will need to get root canal treatment before fitting a crown.

After root canal treatment if you didn’t get a crown fitted this may result in the tooth being fragile and this can result in a cracked or broken tooth. Is it still possible to get a crown after the tooth has cracked or broken? Although it’s best to get a crown after root canal treatment but it’s still possible to get a crown after the tooth is broken.

How is a Crown Fitted?

Getting a crown fitted after root canal treatment can fully protect the tooth, using a porcelain crown instead of a traditional crown which aesthetically speaking is a lot more obvious. However, depending on the situation of the tooth different treatments will be done before the crown can be fitted.  

1. If it’s only a small area of the tooth that is broken or loose and no symptoms of pain when you bite down and it has been confirmed that there are no apical lesions. The area of damage can be removed and a porcelain crown can be fitted.

2. If the tooth has split into two parts and is loose accompanied with swelling, pain and the crack is deep then the pulp tissue has been damaged and possibly the root. After a examination and root canal treatment and fitting a crown can save the tooth.

3. If the tooth has split or right down the middle and the crack reaches the gum and it’s completely loose then the tooth might not be able to be preserved. If the tooth needs to be removed then the possibility of dentures will need to be considered.

Of course the treatment methods mentioned above are just suggestions and overall treatment and solutions can only be provided by a professional dentist with regards to the patient’s situation.