If you are not happy with the appearance of your smile, you may want to consider getting dental crowns. Whether you have chipped, discolored or decayed teeth, dental crowns can greatly improve them. Crowns are created in a dental lab and then attached over the existing teeth that need repair. Dental crowns normally last a substantial length of time depending on which material they are made of. These are some of the different materials that are used to create dental crowns today.

Resin 

The most affordable type of material used for making dental crowns is resin. Crowns made of resin look very nice, but they are not as durable as other crowns and may not last as long. If you want to improve your smile without spending a fortune, resin is the best choice.

However, since this material is softer, it does tend to wear down quickly. You may need to have the crown replaced within a few years. This is especially true for those who have the tendency to grind their teeth.

Porcelain or Ceramic 

Porcelain and ceramic are also common materials that are used for making dental crowns. These materials look most like natural teeth and are the most popular for dental crown making. Though porcelain and ceramic do not wear down as quickly as resin, they do wear down over time. 

You can expect to pay more for porcelain and ceramic crowns because they look so closely to natural teeth and last longer. Although, porcelain and ceramic crowns can chip or crack easily when biting or chewing especially hard and crispy foods.

Metal 

The strongest material used for making dental crowns is metal. Metal crowns are strong and durable and will not often crack when eating crunchy foods. Metal crowns do not look as attractive because they are obviously different than surrounding teeth. Metal crowns are more commonly used for the back teeth where they are not as noticeable.

The cost of metal crowns varies depending on what type of metal is used. Some are a combination of metal alloys that are very affordable. More expensive metal crowns can be made of either silver or gold.

If you have natural teeth that are cracked, chipped or decayed, it is best to have them crowned at a place like South Shore Prosthodontics if possible. This protects the natural teeth and can prevent further damage to the teeth, gums and mouth. Damaged teeth that are not crowned may even lead to problems with the bones of the face and jaw over time.

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