Understanding Dental Crown Materials: A Comprehensive Guide

 Where the issue of dental crowns is concerned, there is no denying that the right dental crown material does matter. They not only enhance the aesthetics of your tooth, but also protect it from any harm, helping to restore its function. With various dental crown material options on the market, ranging from metals to ceramics, let us learn more about each type. 

What is a dental crown?

Tooth crowns are custom-made covers or caps that are designed to enclose a prepared tooth. It aims to restore the tooth's shape, size, strength and appearance. They play an important role in dentistry by:

• Protecting a weakened tooth that is decayed, broken or damaged
• Covering a tooth that has a large filling
• Holding a fixed dental bridge in its place
• Covering misshapen teeth
• Covering severely discoloured teeth
• Enclosing a dental implant

What are the types of dental crown materials?

Several materials are available for dental crowns; they are characterised by their pros and cons, such as:

1) Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crown

If you are interested in the prospect of a dental crown that will last a long time, then a PFM crown may be suitable. It has been in use for years and has many benefits. Various studies indicate high long-term survival rates for PFM crowns for often more than 10 years.

• Metal Framework (Inner Layer): The inside of the crown has a metal structure for support to withstand normal chewing and grinding. This structure will therefore offer protection, stability and strength. So, the restoration is durable, suitable for posterior teeth with heavy masticatory forces.

• Porcelain Outer Layer: The outside is constructed with porcelain to match the natural colour of teeth.  

Pros of PFM crowns:

• Strong and durable
• Natural-looking appearance

Cons of PFM crowns:

• At times, a dark line can be seen at the gum line as the metal interface can be exposed if the gum tissue recedes. This is not a good appearance and the appearance could worsen over time if your gums recede further. Read more about it here.
• The porcelain might chip or break if the bond with the metal weakens over time. This can affect both the look and function of the crown. Click here to read about what to do when your crown chips.
• Getting a PFM crown means removing a bit more of your natural tooth to make space for the metal and porcelain. This can be a bit more invasive compared to other crown options.

2) All-Ceramic Crowns

These are also known as all-porcelain crowns. Patients often choose them because they do not contain any metal which makes them an ideal option for people who prefer a natural tooth shade. The two primary types are Lithium Disilicate and Zirconia crowns.

Zirconia Crowns

These are manufactured from zirconium dioxide (which is a ceramic) that has been found to be tremendously strong. Zirconia crowns are normally produced from a block of the solid material. They are highly durable and they will hardly chip or crack. It means they work very well for regions that are under considerable pressure like the back teeth.

Zirconia crowns can also be adjusted to closely match the colour of natural teeth. Meanwhile, they tend to be somewhat opaque and lack the natural translucency of real teeth, hence imparting a less life-like appearance.

Click here to learn about Zirconia crowns. 

Lithium Disilicate Crown

These crowns are fabricated using ceramic that is made up of a glass matrix. This special characteristic helps make the crowns translucent and reflect light just like normal teeth.

Despite the relatively good strength these are weaker than zirconia crowns. Studies have revealed that Lithium Disilicate crowns possess lower flexural strength of zirconia crowns, hence, they are susceptible to damage when subjected to heavy loads. They are thus ideal for use on the front teeth where appearance is particularly important.

Pros of All-Ceramic crowns:

• Ideal colour match with natural teeth
• No metal allergies as they are 100% metal free

Cons of All-Ceramic crowns:

• More expensive than PFM crowns

3) Gold Crowns

Gold crowns have been used in dentistry for a very long time and were once extremely popular. Not so popular nowadays as they stand out against the rest of the crowns and gold prices are always on the rise! Nevertheless, gold crowns may be the ideal solution for many patients because of their durability. They can handle a lot of pressure from chewing and are unlikely to crack or chip.

One frequently asked question patients may put to the dentist is "how much gold is actually present in a gold crown?". This depends on the individual situation. Gold dental crown materials are often mixed with other metals to enhance strength and resistance. Various compositions of gold alloy give different properties of durability, fit, strength and cost.

Pros of Gold crowns:

• Very durable
• Easy on neighbouring teeth
• Biocompatible

Cons of Gold crowns:

• Not tooth-coloured
• Can be costly

4) All-Metal Crowns

All-metal crowns are crafted from base metals, instead of using gold or other noble metals. The base metals they can consist of are nickel-chromium or cobalt-chromium or other alloys, they give the crown a "steel-like" or "metallic" look, and they usually are not indicated for the front of the mouth.

These are very strong types of crowns; they can withstand extremely high forces, which are encountered during chewing and teeth grinding (bruxism). Another major benefit of this crown is that it involves very little tooth preparation. Their strength allows them to be made thinner, which helps preserve more of your original tooth structure.

Pros of All-Metal crowns:

• Very durable
• Less tooth removal required
• Cost effective (cheaper than the above options)

Cons of All-Metal crowns:

• Not tooth-coloured
• Some people may be allergic or sensitive to certain metals, such as nickel

5) Acrylic Temporary Crowns

The four types of crowns discussed above are all permanent options that are designed to last for many years. However, there are times when temporary crowns are needed. These temporary crowns, usually made from acrylic, are meant to be used for a short period while you wait for your permanent crown, which typically takes about two weeks to make.

Acrylic crowns are easy to shape and adjust and can be created right in the dental office. Because they are only temporary, they aren’t as durable or as closely matched to your natural tooth colour as permanent crowns. Nevertheless, they do a good job protecting your tooth. Keep in mind that they might come with additional costs.

At Dental Designs, we’ve made things easier by offering Same Day crowns. With our in-house dental lab, we offer metal-free crowns that are created on the same day as your tooth preparation, so you won’t need to wait two weeks or use a temporary crown, saving both time and money!

Pros of Temporary crowns:

• Protects the prepared tooth
• Allows you to eat and speak normally
• Prevents tooth sensitivity

Cons of Temporary crowns:

• Not as durable as permanent crowns
• May not fit as expected
• Can be less aesthetically pleasing
• More prone to fractures

How to choose the right dental crown material for me?

The ideal material depends on a number of factors, including:

• The location of the tooth
• The amount of natural tooth remaining
• Your personal preference
• Any allergies you may have
• Cost considerations

Depending on these factors, your dentist will help you decide which material is suitable for your situation. Read more about it here.  

Related Articles

• Pros and Cons of Dental Crowns: Are Dental Crowns Necessary?
• How Are Dental Crowns Made: A Dentist in Singapore Explains (2026)

The Role of Crowns in Root Canal Treatment

In some cases where root canal treatment was done, it is necessary to put a dental crown over the tooth. A crown is a tooth-shaped covering placed over the tooth and to reinforce its integrity.

Many teeth undergoing root canal treatment, particularly premolars and molars, may also need to have crowns fitted in order to restore strength and to prevent fractures. Modern crowns often don't use metal to appear natural. Learn more about why you need a tooth crown after a root canal treatment here.

Regular dental visits are essential to ensure that both the permanent crown and underlying natural tooth remain in good condition.

Conclusion

Frequently asked questions about dental crown material

1. What is the strongest material for a dental crown?

Zirconia, as it is very strong and doesn't chip like other materials. Metal alloys are another strong option, typically used for posterior or back teeth.

2. Which dental crown material looks most natural?

Ceramic or lithium disilicate materials are the closest to a natural tooth in both shade and translucency, although zirconia is another option.

3. What is the average lifespan of various dental crowns?

Metal or zirconia crowns can last 10-15 or more years. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns may have a lifespan of 5-10 years with correct care.

4. Is metal or porcelain better for a back tooth crown?

Metal and zirconia handle significant chewing pressures and are indicated for back teeth.

5. Which is the cheapest dental crown material?

A resin (or, an acrylic temporary crown) and porcelain-fused-to-metal type is usually a low-cost alternative. Zirconia and full ceramic would be on a higher end of the cost scale.

6. How to choose a dental crown material?

The material is recommended by the dentist in relation to the position of the tooth, your teeth grinding habits and your budget. At Dental Designs Singapore, our team can help you find a suitable material for your crown.

References

1. Makhija SK, Lawson NC, Gilbert GH, Litaker MS, McClelland JA, Louis DR, Gordan VV, Pihlstrom DJ, Meyerowitz C, Mungia R, McCracken MS; National Dental PBRN Collaborative Group. Dentist material selection for single-unit crowns: Findings from the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. J Dent. 2016 Dec;55:40-47. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2016.09.010. Epub 2016 Sep 28. PMID: 27693778; PMCID: PMC5125852.
2. Warreth A, Elkareimi Y. All-ceramic restorations: A review of the literature. Saudi Dent J. 2020 Dec;32(8):365-372. doi: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2020.05.004. Epub 2020 May 29. PMID: 34588757; PMCID: PMC8461086.