Non-metal Dental Crowns FAQs

Dental crowns are primarily used to hide and repair teeth that have been damaged in some way. This includes breaks, fractures, and splits that if left untreated, could end up in total tooth loss. Crowns fit right over the existing tooth, after some shaping, and do a great of job of matching the surrounding teeth.

Metal dental crowns

Metal dental crowns are usually made from materials like platinum, gold, nickel-chromium or cobalt-chromium. They are incredibly durable and far less likely to chip or break. However, many people don’t enjoy the look — they are very clearly metal — and can sometimes cause allergic reactions.

Are non-metal crowns better than metal crowns? Below are a list of frequently asked questions that should help.

Do non-metal dental crowns or metal crowns fit better?

While there’s no questioning the durability of metal crowns, they can definitely be “felt” by the patient in their mouth. Metal crowns don’t have the texture, consistency or fit of non-metal crowns and can be more disruptive or annoying.

Can non-metal crowns be whitened?

Unfortunately, the color of non-metal dental crowns cannot really be changed after they’ve been put in. Non-metal dental crown color is matched to the patient’s teeth during implantation. This is why it’s usually recommended to undergo teeth whitening before the crown is put in place.

However, if teeth are whitened later, a crown can be replaced with a matching substitute with a simple procedure.

How long do non-metal dental crowns last?

There is no hard-and-fast rule for how long crowns can last. They depend greatly on care and maintenance. Non-metal dental crowns have lasted anywhere from five to 20 years or even up to 25 and 30 in certain cases.

The most solid answer would be “five years,” because that’s how often most dental insurance companies will pay to have a crown replaced as part of regular wear-and-tear.

What are non-metal dental crowns made of?

Generally, non-metal dental crowns are constructed out of ceramic or porcelain. Both are excellent substitutes for tooth material, in appearance and function. Their color matches surrounding teeth better, and they aren’t as bothersome or noticeable when eating.

Some crowns are also made of metal fused with porcelain, granting the natural appearance of non-metal crowns while keeping the durability of metal. These can often be the best of both worlds.

What’s the best way to keep non-metal dental crowns clean?

Maintaining a non-metal dental crown isn’t altogether different from maintaining regular teeth. Frequent brushing and flossing, which should be part of the standard oral health routine, will help the crown last as long as possible. Keeping normal appointments with the dentist for deep cleanings and the like will also keep those crowns looking good and staying firmly affixed.

Which dental crown to choose?

Some dentists will recommend metal crowns for the back molars, simply because they aren’t as visible but can withstand more bite pressure. However, there are plenty of non-metal dental crowns that work great as molars, and they often don’t feel as cumbersome either.

Ultimately, talk to your dentist and work together to find the right crowns for you.

Are you considering non-metal dental crowns in the Campbell area? Get more non-metal dental crown information at .