When you have been advised a dental crown, maybe after a root canal to restore the tooth’s strength or maybe to replace a missing/ weak tooth, you have options in the crowns – A metal one, a metal-ceramic (PFM) or a zirconia crown. Which one should you choose and what factors should you consider? Read along –
What is PFM crown?
PFM stands for “Porcelain Fused Metal” crown. The bulk of the crown is made of metal but has a ceramic coating on top of the metal, which gives it a natural tooth like shade. The idea here is to have the strength of the metal alloy while keeping the aesthetics of the natural tooth.
What is a zirconia crown?
Zirconia is a metal free crown. It is made of powdered ceramic metal which helps it stay strong even without the metal. Zirconia gives a very natural finish to the crown and is more aesthetically pleasing.
Advantages of a PFM crown.
- It is comparatively budget-friendly.
- It can hold a lot of chewing and biting forces as the metal provides all the strength.
- The metal framework offers a good fit onto the tooth.
- Good retention and longevity in cases of long dental bridges.
- Suggested for the back teeth that help more in chewing than front teeth.
Disadvantages of a PFM
- The metal coating on the inside makes them aesthetically unacceptable for front teeth.
- Over the years the metal margin might be visible giving an odd look.
- The metal might cause gum issues and irritation. Not advised in patients with metal allergy.
- The porcelain can chip off revealing the metal beneath. In such cases, the opposite tooth will contact the metal directly and might wear down.
- Comparatively thicker than zirconia hence needs a decent amount of tooth shaving.
Advantages of a Zirconia Crown
- More aesthetically pleasing than PFM crowns, hence suitable for front teeth and smile designing
- The Zirconia ceramic can be stronger than the porcelain of PFM, resisting harder forces
- Comparatively minimal to no allergy or irritation of surrounding tissues
- Comparatively natural-looking shade due to the translucency of the material
- Can construct thinner crowns with zirconia, hence the amount of tooth to be shaved is also minimal
Disadvantages of a zirconia
- Comparatively expensive.
- The Hard structure of Zirconia might cause wear on the opposing tooth.
- Harder to remove.
- Too thin zirconia crowns may be subject to chipping or cracking in rare cases.
Now that you have an idea of what is what in the crowns, do understand that each case is different and your dentist will suggest the crowns based on what suits you. No matter what crown you get, good maintenance and regular follow-ups are advised for their longevity.
If you are still wondering which crown to get, or have any doubts about the process and would like to look deeper into the types, book your dental appointment now and consult our crown and bridge specialists.
