Crown properties

 

The restorative materials used in indirect restorations possess superior mechanical properties than do the materials used for direct methods of tooth restoration, and thus produce a restoration of much higher quality.

As new technology and material chemistry has evolved, computers are increasingly becoming a part of crown and bridge fabrication, such as in CAD/CAM technology.

 

A dental crown, can be made from three main materials: porcelain, gold or gold fused with porcelain.

 

Gold
Gold is the least aesthetic material because of its yellowish colour, but it is also very durable. A gold crown may last for up to 25-30 years, considering that good oral hygiene is maintained.

 

Porcelain
A porcelain crown is very beautiful; of all materials, it gives the most natural appearance to a tooth. Its life span is however the shortest, lasting almost 10 years.

 

Gold fused to porcelain
A crown made of gold fused to porcelain offers the aesthetics of porcelain and the strength of gold. Its longevity is around 15 years.

When a tooth is less destroyed by tooth decay, it can be restored using an onlay or inlay, which can also be made up on gold or porcelain.