At Mount Zion Dental, we understand that restoring a damaged or decayed tooth is more than just a procedure—it’s a critical decision for your long-term oral health. Among the most reliable treatments available, dental crowns (commonly known as teeth caps) are key in protecting your teeth and improving your smile.
However, with multiple crown options available today, it’s essential to understand the types of crowns, how they differ in durability, aesthetics, and cost, and which one best suits your needs.
This guide—backed by professional dental expertise—breaks down the most popular teeth cap types to help you make a well-informed decision.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a custom-fitted cap placed over a tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. It protects weak or heavily restored teeth, improves bite alignment, and enhances cosmetic appearance. At Mount Zion Dental, crowns are often recommended following root canal therapy, large fillings, or cracked teeth.
Training professionals use advanced techniques and biocompatible materials to design and place crowns. Your dentist will ensure the crown fits properly and integrates seamlessly with your bite and smile.
Overview of Teeth Cap Types
Let’s explore the most common types of crowns available in modern dentistry, including expert insights into their structure, strengths, aesthetics, pricing, and ideal clinical applications.
1. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns
PFM crowns combine a metal substructure for strength with a porcelain outer layer for a tooth-like appearance. They’ve been widely used for decades due to their reliable blend of durability and aesthetics.
- Durability: These crowns are strong enough to handle moderate-to-heavy biting forces, making them suitable for molars and premolars. However, the porcelain layer may wear over time.
- Appearance: They offer good color matching with surrounding teeth but may develop a visible gray line at the gum as the underlying metal becomes exposed.
- Cost: PFM crowns are moderately priced and often covered by dental insurance. They provide a solid option for patients seeking functionality without premium costs.
- Best for: This option is ideal for back teeth where function is key but some aesthetic consideration remains. It is also a practical choice for patients on a mid-range budget.
2. All-Ceramic or All-Porcelain Crowns
Crafted entirely from ceramic or porcelain, these crowns are metal-free and prized for their natural translucency, making them perfect for visible front teeth.
- Durability: While slightly less durable than metal-based crowns, they perform well under normal biting forces, especially in the anterior region.
- Appearance: They provide the most lifelike appearance, blending seamlessly with your natural enamel in color and shine, especially under natural light.
- Cost: It is typically more expensive due to the aesthetic finish and lab customization required. However, many patients find the cosmetic value worth the investment.
- Best for: This product is best suited for front tooth restorations, patients with metal allergies, or anyone prioritizing a natural-looking, metal-free solution.
3. Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia crowns are made from zirconium dioxide, a biocompatible and fracture-resistant ceramic material. They are known for their high strength and modern, metal-free design.
- Durability: Zirconia crowns are among the strongest materials in restorative dentistry. They withstand heavy chewing and are ideal for patients who grind or clench.
- Appearance: It is tooth-colored with decent translucency. Though not as aesthetic as porcelain alone, layered zirconia options enhance cosmetic results.
- Cost: Due to its strength and digital fabrication process, it typically falls on the higher end of the price spectrum.
- Best for: Highly recommended for molars and premolars where strength is essential, especially for patients seeking long-term durability with decent aesthetics.
4. Gold Crowns
Gold crowns are crafted from a gold alloy with other metals such as copper or palladium. They have been a time-tested solution in dentistry for over a century.
- Durability: Gold is incredibly resilient against wear, corrosion, and fractures, making it the most durable crown type.
- Appearance: They are visibly metallic and yellowish in tone, which makes them less suitable for visible areas but acceptable in rear molars.
- Cost: The material is relatively expensive due to its intrinsic value and lab fees. However, its long lifespan often justifies the cost.
- Best for: Excellent for back teeth in patients with strong biting forces, bruxism, or those wanting a long-term, no-compromise solution.
5. E-Max (Lithium Disilicate) Crowns
E-Max crowns are fabricated from lithium disilicate glass ceramic. They offer a rare combination of translucency, strength, and precision, making them popular in cosmetic dentistry.
- Durability: E-Max crowns are highly durable and resistant to fractures, and they are suitable for most patients’ front and back teeth.
- Appearance: These crowns are highly aesthetic, offering one of the closest visual matches to natural teeth with minimal thickness and seamless blending.
- Cost: Often positioned at the premium end of the market, E-Max crowns are an investment in both function and high-end aesthetics.
- Best for: This procedure is perfect for patients seeking metal-free crowns in visible areas, cosmetic smile makeovers, or highly personalized anterior restorations.
Comparative Chart: Durability, Appearance & Cost
| Crown Type | Durability | Appearance | Average Cost per Tooth |
| PFM | High | Moderate-High | $800 – $1,400 |
| All-Ceramic | Moderate | Excellent | $1,000 – $1,600 |
| Zirconia | Very High | Very Good | $1,200 – $2,000 |
| Gold | Extremely High | Low (Metallic Look) | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| E-Max | High | Excellent | $1,200 – $1,800 |
Note: Prices vary based on individual cases, insurance coverage, and lab costs. At Mount Zion Dental, we offer transparent estimates and flexible financing options.
Choosing the Right Crown: What Matters Most?
At Mount Zion Dental, we prioritize patient-centered care. Our experienced team, led by qualified dental professionals, considers the following factors when recommending a crown:
- Tooth position in the mouth
- Bite force and grinding habits
- Aesthetic expectations
- Allergies or sensitivities to metals
- Budget and insurance
We also use digital scanning and CAD/CAM technologies to ensure accuracy, comfort, and optimal outcomes.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
- Reinforces weakened or cracked teeth: Protects damaged teeth by encasing them in a durable, supportive, custom-fitted restoration.
- Restores chewing function and bite alignment: Helps you chew comfortably and evenly while preserving proper alignment of your bite and jaw.
- Improves tooth appearance and confidence: Enhancing the shape, color, and symmetry of teeth boosts your smile and self-confidence.
- Long-term solution with proper oral care: With good hygiene and dental checkups, crowns can last 10–20 years or even longer.
- Custom-matched to your smile: Each crown is color-matched and contoured to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
Expert Tips for Caring for Your Crown
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss carefully around the crown margins
- Avoid chewing ice or hard candies
- Use a nightguard if you grind your teeth
- Maintain routine dental checkups every 6 months
Our hygienists and dentists will provide personalized care instructions after your crown placement.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Dental Crown for Your Smile
Understanding the different teeth cap types—from porcelain-fused-to-metal to zirconia and E-Max—helps you make a confident, informed choice based on your unique dental needs. Whether your priority is strength, aesthetics, biocompatibility, or budget, there’s a crown material designed to restore both form and function to your smile.
At Mount Zion Dental, our experienced team combines advanced materials, modern technology, and personalized care to deliver lasting crown restorations tailored to your bite, lifestyle, and cosmetic goals. If you’re considering a dental crown or exploring your options, we’re here to help. Schedule a consultation with our experts today and take the first step toward a stronger, healthier, more confident smile.
FAQs
How long do dental crowns last?
On average, crowns last 10–15 years, but with excellent oral hygiene, they can last over 20 years.
Will my crown feel like a natural tooth?
Yes. Once placed and adjusted, crowns are designed to feel and function like natural teeth.
Are there same-day crown options?
In some cases, we offer same-day ceramic crowns using CEREC technology. Ask during your consultation.
Can I eat normally with a crown?
Yes. After the crown is securely placed, you can eat most foods. We recommend avoiding hard substances that could chip any crown.