Porcelain crowns and metal crowns have seen a rise in popularity throughout the years in the Philippines. This is due to the products’ functionality, affordability, and abundance. It used to be that a patient would resort to a composite restoration service for tooth repairs. However, as dental crowns started popping up in dental clinics so too did its popularity. Patients today will pick a crown over an inlay or a dental filling. So, what makes porcelain crowns and metal crowns so good? What exact features do they offer to a patient that warrants their popularity? This article will go over that and more.

Porcelain Crowns and Metal Crowns

Let’s start with the general functions of porcelain crowns and metal crowns.

First of all, a dental crown functions as tooth’s replacement without the need for a tooth extraction. You see, services like dental fillings or a composite restoration were limited to the degree of damage of a tooth. This means that if a tooth was severely damaged then the aforementioned services may not be capable to save it.

So, how do porcelain crowns and metal crowns save a severely damaged tooth? By replacing it. The tooth will have to be filed down first to make room for the crown itself. Once it’s done, the crown is placed and sealed with a bonding agent. Essentially, a dental crown protects the damaged tooth by ensuring that it’s sealed from any more danger in the future.

Another feature that dental crowns have is their versatility. It’s capable of replacing or capping any tooth in your mouth. Regardless if its an incisor or a molar, a dental crown can fix and replace any tooth. Speaking of those two teeth, let’s talk about the two major types of dental crowns.

The Types of Crowns Available

Dental crowns are known for their wide variety of materials available. A dental clinic that specializes in the product may offer an extensive list of different crowns. However, when one boils it down to its core, a dental crown can be divided into two kinds: metal and metal-free. Of course, the latter can be a bit loose at times.

Metal Crowns

Let’s start with metal crowns. Metal crowns come in a variety of forms. It could be made out of basic alloys, stainless steel, titanium, gold, and more.

Regardless of its type, metal crowns were built to be durable. Its metallic nature allows it to withstand punishment thus it is best used as a molar. However, a metal crown may not be excel in terms of aesthetics. People will notice it if it’s given enough visibility. This lack in subtlety only increases as the degree of metal is used. So, don’t expect people to take a second glance at your teeth if you have a gold crown. Of course, this should only bother you if you care about aesthetics.

Another disadvantage that a metal crown has its price. Gold and titanium crowns are undoubtedly expensive. If you’re willing to spend that much on a single dental crown then go for it.

Metal Free Crowns

As mentioned before, metal-free crowns can be a bit loose in their terms especially with porcelain. You see a porcelain crown is not entirely made out of porcelain. It’s actually a Porcelain-fused to metal crown. This is because the crown is made out of porcelain but its foundations are metal. Variety does come in the metal that’s underneath a PFM crown.

The biggest advantage of a PFM crown would be its look. A porcelain crown easily blends in with the other teeth. It’s stain resistant nature allows it to resist discoloration for a very long time. Also, a porcelain crown is relatively affordable compared to other dental crowns.

The only problem that one has to be mindful of is its durability. Porcelain crowns aren’t the sturdiest of materials out there. This gives it the tendency to ship or crack under stressful situations.

If durability does worry you, however, then you should try to upgrade your PFM crown. Currently, there are two notable crowns to go to namely, emax and zirconia.

Emax crowns are made out a specially heated ceramic. They’re completely metal free, looks as good as porcelain but is a lot more durable. Zirconia crowns, on the other hand, is very durable looks as good as porcelain but on the same level as emax.

These two crowns are higher in price when compared to their predecessor.

About Crowns

Dental crowns today are quite abundant when you’re looking for it in the right places. It’s a service that people sought after because it’s shown to have a lot of benefits.

Longevity should be a clear example since a basic dental crown lasts for 15 years. It requires no special maintenance and its procedure is safe for everyone. But what about its alternatives, should you still be mindful of them?

Aside from dental fillings and composite restorations, dental crowns do have an alternative that’s rather popular among celebrities. These are called porcelain veneers.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers, like dental crowns, requires that a tooth needs to be filed down to make space. However, their only difference is that a veneer requires less space due to its thin and shell-like appearance. In addition, porcelain veneers only cover the front of the tooth which makes it great for tooth correction and other improvements. The only thing you should be worried about, however, is its price. A porcelain veneer is known to be as expensive as emax crowns with their emax versions starting out at a very high price tag.

Conclusion

So, should you go for porcelain veneers or crowns? If crowns, then what type should you even be paying for. All of these questions that plague a patient can be settled inside a dental clinic. That’s right if you are unsure whether or not a service is worth your money then consult your dentist.

Seeing as each service today has its own set of pros and cons, it’s always best to approach with a few questions. Questions on your current situation and what the service has to answer it.