If you've just discovered that you need a dental crown, you may not even be aware that there are different types of crowns available to you. Be sure to know the major differences between them so that you can make the best decision about what goes in your mouth.


It is ideal to get a ceramic crown when the tooth that needs it is a front tooth. The reason is that the material will seamlessly blend in with the tooth, and it will be hard for others to notice on this incredibly visible tooth. However, the big problem with a ceramic crown is that they lack the strength of other crown materials. The ceramic material will be easier to break, and the material shouldn't be used for rear teeth.

Gold Alloy

If strength is a concern, know that you can always use a gold alloy dental crown. As the name implies, it has a gold appearance, which makes gold alloy an ideal material for teeth that are in the back of your mouth and not easy to see.

Many patients use gold allow because they want the strength it provides and because the crown will not easily wear out the teeth on the opposite side that it rubs against.

Porcelain-Metal Fusion

Instead of using just porcelain for a dental crown, consider one that has metal fused to the porcelain on the bottom layer. This gives the crown more strength than one that was just porcelain and can look like a natural tooth.

The problem with a porcelain-metal fusion crown is that it is susceptible to the same damage that porcelain is affected by. This means that porcelain can chip and expose the metal layer underneath it. These crowns also tend to have edges with exposed porcelain, which some patients do not like.


Another option is a crown that is made out of resin. It's affordable and looks natural, but the main problem is how the material will wear down much faster. When you need a material that will last and prevent damage to your tooth, this material may cause you more problems in the end. That said, it will work if you are on a budget.

Can't decide on the crown that works best for you? Meet with your dentist for a consultation on porcelain crowns. They can run you through all the different crowns that are available, and tell you about their various pros and cons so you can decide.