Options for Dental Crown Material from a General Dentist

Your general dentist can help you choose which material is ideal for your dental crowns. Materials include: Porcelain — a popular choice for decades, looks and feels like natural teeth, and is difficult to distinguish from real teeth. Gold — durable and sturdy, recommended for patients who don't want to cause much damage to adjacent teeth, though most patients don't want the color. Lithium disilicate ceramic — a translucent crown material that is nearly invisible and extremely durable; it does not chip or crack and is often used for canines and front teeth where blending with natural teeth is important. Zirconia — a man-made stone derived from zirconium, extremely hard and durable, biocompatible (the body will not react to it), appears almost white and blends with natural teeth. Your general dentist will help determine the best crown material based on the location of the tooth, your aesthetic goals, and your budget.