How to Select the Best Material for Dental Implant Crowns

Have you lost one or more of your natural pearly whites? If so, you're not alone.

Tooth loss is so common that adults aged 20 to 34 only had a mean number of 27 teeth, per the U.S. CDC. It further drops with age: 23.3 for the 50 to 64 age bracket and 21.7 for 65 to 74 years.

Fortunately, the best material for dental implant crowns can restore your beautiful, healthy smile.



So, join us today at North Park Smiles, our general and family dentistry office in San Diego, CA, as we share insights into dental crown materials and tips for choosing the right one.

Factors to Consider

Dental implant crowns provide a durable replacement that should ideally mimic the form and function of natural teeth. So, consider the following factors when deciding on your San Diego dental implant crown options:



• Durability: Choose the most durable implant materials you can afford and consider how long it can withstand everyday wear and tear
• Aesthetics: Choose a material that closely resembles your natural teeth
• Compatibility: Ensure the material is suitable for your dental and overall health
• Cost: Some materials come at a premium price, while others are more budget-friendly
• Location in the mouth: The position of the implant may influence the material choice for dental crowns; for example, front teeth require more aesthetic considerations than molars
  

Popular Materials for Crowns

Now that you know the essential factors when choosing dental implant crowns, let's discuss the popular materials used for these restorations. Depending on your needs and budget, some of the materials your highly skilled dentist in San Diego, CA, may recommend are:

• Porcelain
• Ceramic
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns closely mimic the looks of natural teeth, making them one of the most popular choices for dental implants. Some of their characteristics include:

• Lifelike translucency
• Durability
• Color-matching capabilities
• Stain-resistant

Ceramic Crowns

Ceramic crowns are similar to porcelain crowns in appearance, although they can be more durable, primarily if they use Zirconia. As an article published in ScienceDirect.com points out, Zirconia is a ceramic material with higher mechanical strength than titanium and delivers excellent corrosion resistance. With these properties, Zirconia-based ceramic crowns are highly resistant to wear, chipping, and corrosion, making them one of your best choices, especially if you have a powerful bite.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns

Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns combine aesthetics with strength. They have a metal base for durability and porcelain for a natural appearance.



PFM crowns often cost less than all-porcelain and ceramic crowns. However, their metal core may make their color slightly more challenging to match with your other teeth.

Get Expert Help Choosing the Best Material for Dental Implant Crowns

Selecting the best material for dental implant crowns involves considering durability, aesthetics, cost, and the implant location. Given all these variables, your best option is to work closely with a highly skilled San Diego dentist who can help determine which option perfectly suits your needs.

At North Park Smiles, our highly experienced and compassionate team, headed by Dr. Eduardo Díaz, is ready to help. Dr. Díaz has been practicing dentistry for three decades; he obtained his U.S. ADA certification in 1995 and has been a licensed California dentist since 1997.

With his and our team's expertise, skills, and knowledge, we'll help you recover your lovely, healthy smile. Call us today to schedule your consultation!