Why Crown Material Matters
A dental crown covers and protects a damaged tooth. It restores the tooth's shape, size, and function. But not all crowns are made from the same material, and the material you choose affects how long the crown lasts, how it looks, how it feels when you bite, and how much it costs.
There is no single best dental crown material for every situation. A front tooth that shows when you smile has different requirements than a molar that absorbs heavy chewing forces. Your dentist or prosthodontist will consider the tooth's position, the amount of remaining tooth structure, your bite pattern, and your budget before recommending a material.
Dental Crown Materials Compared
Five materials account for the vast majority of dental crowns placed today. Each has distinct properties that make it better suited for certain situations.
Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia is a ceramic material known for exceptional strength. It is the strongest tooth-colored crown material available, with flexural strength ranging from 900 to 1,200 MPa. Modern multi-layered zirconia crowns have improved significantly in translucency, making them a good match for natural tooth color.
Zirconia crowns work well on both front and back teeth. They resist chipping and fracture better than any other ceramic. They can be milled from a solid block using CAD/CAM technology, which allows for precise fit and sometimes same-day fabrication.
- Strength: Very high. Suitable for molars and patients with heavy bite forces or grinding habits.
- Aesthetics: Good to very good. Multi-layered zirconia closely mimics natural tooth translucency. Monolithic zirconia is slightly more opaque.
- Cost: Typically $1,000 to $2,500 per crown. Costs vary by location and provider.
- Best for: Back teeth, patients who grind or clench, bridges spanning multiple teeth.
All-Porcelain (Feldspathic) Crowns
Feldspathic porcelain crowns offer the most lifelike appearance of any crown material. A skilled ceramist can layer porcelain to match the exact shade, translucency, and surface texture of your natural teeth. This makes them ideal for front teeth where appearance is the top priority.
The trade-off is durability. All-porcelain crowns have lower flexural strength (around 120 to 160 MPa) and are more prone to chipping or fracture under heavy bite forces. They are not recommended for molars in patients with strong bites or grinding habits.
- Strength: Lower than other options. More prone to chipping on back teeth.
- Aesthetics: The highest. Unmatched natural appearance when crafted by an experienced ceramist.
- Cost: Typically $1,000 to $2,500 per crown. Costs vary by location and provider.
- Best for: Front teeth (incisors and canines) where cosmetic appearance is the primary concern.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns
PFM crowns have a metal substructure covered with a layer of porcelain. For decades, they were the standard for both front and back teeth because they combined the strength of metal with a tooth-colored exterior.
PFM crowns are still a reasonable choice, but they have limitations. The metal substructure can create a dark line at the gum margin that becomes visible if gums recede. The porcelain layer can chip off the metal base over time. As zirconia technology has advanced, PFM crowns have become less common in many practices.
- Strength: High, due to the metal core. However, the porcelain veneer layer can chip.
- Aesthetics: Moderate. The dark metal margin can become visible, especially on front teeth.
- Cost: Typically $800 to $2,000 per crown. Costs vary by location and provider.
- Best for: Situations where proven long-term data is desired. PFM crowns have the longest clinical track record.
Gold Alloy Crowns
Gold alloy crowns (which are actually a mix of gold, copper, and other metals) are the most durable dental crown material available. They wear at a rate similar to natural enamel, which means they are gentle on the opposing teeth you bite against. Gold crowns rarely chip or fracture.
The obvious drawback is appearance. Gold crowns are metallic in color and visible when you smile or open your mouth wide. For this reason, they are used almost exclusively on back molars where they are not easily seen. Some patients specifically request gold crowns for their durability.
- Strength: The highest of any crown material. Extremely resistant to fracture and wear.
- Aesthetics: Poor cosmetically. Metallic gold color is visible.
- Cost: Typically $1,000 to $2,500 per crown, depending on the current price of gold. Costs vary by location and provider.
- Best for: Second molars, patients who grind heavily, patients who want maximum longevity on a back tooth.
Lithium Disilicate (e.max) Crowns
Lithium disilicate is a glass ceramic with excellent optical properties. It is significantly stronger than feldspathic porcelain (flexural strength around 400 to 500 MPa) while offering superior translucency compared to zirconia. This puts it in a middle ground that works well for front teeth and premolars.
Lithium disilicate crowns can be pressed or milled using CAD/CAM systems. They bond exceptionally well to tooth structure, which makes them a good choice when a conservative preparation is needed and maximum adhesion matters.
- Strength: Moderate to high. Stronger than porcelain, not as strong as zirconia.
- Aesthetics: Very high. Excellent translucency that closely matches natural teeth.
- Cost: Typically $1,000 to $2,500 per crown. Costs vary by location and provider.
- Best for: Front teeth, premolars, and situations where excellent aesthetics and good strength are both needed.
Which Material Is Best by Tooth Position
Tooth position is one of the most important factors in choosing a crown material. Front teeth and back teeth face very different demands.
Front Teeth (Incisors and Canines)
Front teeth are visible when you talk and smile, so aesthetics matter most. Bite forces on front teeth are moderate compared to molars. All-porcelain, lithium disilicate, and multi-layered zirconia are all strong choices for front teeth. If appearance is the absolute priority and your bite is not heavy, all-porcelain or lithium disilicate will provide the most natural look.
Premolars
Premolars sit in a transition zone. They are somewhat visible (especially upper premolars) but also handle moderate chewing forces. Lithium disilicate and zirconia are both excellent choices for premolars. PFM is also acceptable but may show a dark line at the gum margin over time.
Molars
Molars bear the highest chewing forces. Durability is the priority, and appearance is less of a concern since molars are rarely visible. Zirconia and gold alloy are the strongest options. Many prosthodontists recommend full-contour monolithic zirconia for molars because it combines strength with an acceptable tooth color.
What Affects Dental Crown Cost
Crown costs depend on the material, the complexity of the case, the geographic location of the dental practice, and the dental laboratory used. Custom shade-matching and layered ceramics from a master ceramist cost more than standard monolithic crowns milled by machine.
Most dental insurance plans cover crowns as a major restorative procedure, typically at 50% after deductible. Some plans specify a maximum allowance based on the least expensive alternative (often PFM), meaning you may pay the difference if you choose a more expensive material. Check with your insurance provider for your specific benefits.
If cost is a concern, discuss material options with your prosthodontist. In some cases, a less expensive material works just as well for your specific tooth and situation.
When to See a Prosthodontist for a Crown
General dentists place most dental crowns and handle straightforward cases well. A prosthodontist is a dental specialist with 3 additional years of training focused on restoring and replacing teeth. Consider a prosthodontist when the case involves complex factors.
A prosthodontist consultation is especially valuable if you need crowns on front teeth where aesthetics are critical, if you need multiple crowns placed at the same time, if you grind your teeth or have a complex bite, or if a previous crown has failed and you want a longer-lasting solution. Prosthodontists work closely with master dental ceramists and have the training to select and customize the material that will perform best in your mouth.
Find a Prosthodontist Near You
Every prosthodontist on My Specialty Dentist has verified specialty credentials. Search by location to find prosthodontists in your area who specialize in crowns, bridges, and complex restorations.
Search Prosthodontists in Your Area