Ceramic vs. Porcelain Crowns
Crowns are among the most common dental restorations, used to support, rebuild, or fortify a natural tooth that has been damaged or worn down. While crowns can also be made of metal or metal alloys, the most common materials used to craft dental crowns are ceramic and porcelain. Each type of crown presents its own set of pros and cons, and the best option for each patient will depend on their clinical needs, aesthetic preferences, and budget. To understand the key differences between ceramic and porcelain crowns, it’s helpful to have some familiarity with the function and purpose of crowns themselves.
How Are Dental Crowns Used?
Dental crowns are dental restorations that cover the surface of a natural tooth that appears above the gum line. Crowns cap the natural tooth, helping to maintain its strength and structure while protecting it from additional damage and preserving its tooth-like shape and appearance. Typically, crowns are used on teeth that are fractured or damaged, possibly due to tooth decay or following a root canal, though crowns can also be used to support dental bridges. Dental prosthetics like crowns can also be used to cover dental implants, replacing a natural tooth that’s been lost or removed.
What Materials Are Used for Dental Crowns?
Sometimes, dentists use temporary crowns to protect and restore teeth; these are often made of composite resin, which isn’t designed to be permanent. The most durable material used to make permanent dental crowns is metal, which includes gold and metal alloys. Metal crowns aren’t ideal in most cases, as they’re obtrusively visible and tend to be expensive; metal crowns are also not an appropriate choice for patients with metal allergies. Ceramic and porcelain crowns meet the aesthetic needs of most patients, as both these materials are luminous, like dental enamel, and can be tinted to match the surrounding natural teeth.
Which is Better: Ceramic vs. Porcelain
Porcelain crowns are made of a metal core with porcelain fused to its exterior, while ceramic crowns are made entirely of ceramic material. This makes porcelain crowns stronger and more durable than ceramic crowns, but this added complexity and strength means that porcelain crowns are more expensive than ceramic crowns. Additionally, some patients find that the metal edges of porcelain crowns can become visible if the gum tissue recedes or is particularly fragile, a risk that doesn’t arise with ceramic crowns. This may mean that ceramic crowns are preferable for highly visible areas of the mouth, like the front teeth, while porcelain crowns are better suited for the heavy workload of the back teeth, though each person’s needs and budget will differ. While ceramic crowns aren’t as durable as porcelain crowns, they are more aesthetically appealing and less likely to chip than porcelain crowns, and they are a better option for patients with metal allergies. Ceramic crowns tend to cost around $600-$800 per tooth. Porcelain crowns, on the other hand, combine the durability of metal with the aesthetics of ceramic, which comes with a cost; the average price for a porcelain dental crown ranges from $1000 to $1500 per tooth. If you’re considering a dental crown or other restoration, a consultation with your dentist can provide you with answers to your questions and help you determine which material is best for your needs.