Dental crowns are made by dental technicians using a variety of metals, including gold, palladium, nickel, and chromium. In terms of wear, metal crowns last the longest and need the least amount of tooth reduction. They also seldom shatter or break. Additionally, they can tolerate heavy chewing and biting forces. The disadvantage of this crown is its shiny tint. They are a good option for molars that are not visible.

Similar to a PFM, but with a ceramic core as opposed to a metal one. A technician makes it by melting and pushing ceramic at a very high temperature in an oven to create the inner core. Then, many layers of porcelain are added. Pressed ceramic crowns can imitate the translucency of real tooth enamel, like all-porcelain crowns do.

The disadvantages of PFM crowns are the same for pressed ceramic crowns. Ceramic layers are prone to chipping over time. It can be used for both anterior teeth and posterior teeth.

Crowns made of porcelain fused to metal (PFM) combine the strength of metal with the realistic appearance of porcelain. This type of crown has the benefit of being able to match the natural color of the teeth next to it. For either the front or back teeth, these crowns might be a great option.

PFM crowns are strong, but they also have some disadvantages. For instance, after time, the porcelain coating may chip off, revealing the metal beneath. Also, PFM crowns have the potential to wear the opposing teeth. Sometimes a black line under the porcelain is visible near the gingiva due to the underlining metal.

PFM crowns have similar lifespan as metal crowns.

More than any other form of crown, all-ceramic or porcelain crowns resemble the look of natural dentition. They’re also a much preferred choice if you’re allergic to metal.

(Zirconium dioxide) is one of the most common materials that the lab technicians utilize to create all ceramic crowns.

Zirconia crowns are hard durable material that can withstand high occlusal forces. Zirconia crowns are gentle to the opposing dentition and they don’t cause wear in comparison to glass ceramics. Despite of being durable, gentle and Esthetically acceptable material, zirconia have some disadvantages ; the material require layering by a more translucent material to give a more natural look and it is very technique sensitive when bonding to tooth structure.

They are crowns made of lithium disilicate. Glass-ceramic crowns are a preferred option among cosmetic dentists due to their great aesthetic, strength, and durability. Glass-ceramic crowns are mostly and suited for anterior teeth because they offer the ideal combination of translucency and natural appearance. Zirconium crowns are less translucent than glass-ceramic crowns.

Unlike metal crowns, glass-ceramic crowns won’t have any gray lines at the gumline because they don’t include any metal alloys. Glass-ceramic crowns have exceptional durability and are not susceptible to chipping, breaking, or fracturing. The exceptional strength and fracture resistance of the crowns allow for their preparation in very thin portions. The most natural tooth structure possible is kept as much as possible during preparation in addition to ensuring the best possible appearance. It is possible to make veneers with incredibly thin dimensions that resemble natural enamel in terms of translucency.