Do Dental Crowns Look Natural?

When your teeth suffer physical defects due to cavities or injuries, the dentist may recommend dental crowns to cover the tooth or dental implant. It is tooth-shaped and helps to restore the shape, size, and strength of the tooth. If you have been scheduled for dental crown placement, you may be wondering if the crowns would look exactly like your teeth or stand out.

There are different kinds of dental crowns, and each has a different level of resilient and allure. Usually, the material used for manufacturing the crown is responsible for its appearance. The following are some of the most popular, natural looking, and durable dental crown materials.

Common Dental Crown Materials

Full Porcelain Crowns or Porcelain Bonded to Zirconia

Dental crowns created from porcelain or zirconium materials are aesthetically appealing, durable, long lasting, and have an exceptionally realistic appearance. Many patients who want a protective dental crown that fits in naturally with other teeth and is less conspicuous prefer this option.

Zirconia is derived from the metal element zirconium and is an excellent material for reinforcing porcelain while infusing it on the tooth. With the support of zirconia, the chance of porcelain breakage reduces significantly and improves its durability.

It is also possible to tailor zirconia to match the color of the porcelain. This means that the patient will not have to be concerned about the unattractive metal-stained bleeding happening on nearby teeth and gums, like what happens with conventional metal bases or metal alloy crowns.

If you want the most natural-looking dental crown, then you should opt for full porcelain dental crowns. However, porcelain is somewhat more breakable than other materials and should preferably be used for teeth without much activity. In contrast to natural tooth enamel, porcelain is harder and may injure the surrounding teeth if the patient has bruxism (teeth grinding).

Also, porcelain is somewhat more breakable than other materials and may chip if the crown is not thick enough. In most cases, however, porcelain crowns can last up to 15 years before needing replacement.

Composite Crowns

Although composite crowns are not the most durable crowns out there, they are more natural looking than porcelain crowns. The composite crown is an excellent choice for patients that are sensitive to metal or dislike porcelain. Composite crowns usually are less expensive, but can only last a few years before requiring replacement.

Gold Crowns

Gold alloy crowns were the trend many years ago, but they are still an excellent choice to consider if you want a visually appealing crown that blends in well with your teeth. Gold crowns offer the highest level of durability in any dental crowns, regardless of their thickness. They are, however, more expensive.

Gold crowns also conduct heat and cold easily, thus causing teeth sensitivity. Regardless of these drawbacks, they are still one of the most stable restorations out there. It is also possible to fuse porcelain to gold with the aim of improving the crown’s strength.

We are always here to help! 

If you are scheduled for dental crown placement, be sure to discuss the natural looking options available with your dentist.

Request a dental appointment here: or call Gilroy Dental Associates at (408) 842-2818 for an appointment in our Gilroy dental office.