14
Dec
2022

Are there different types of dental crowns?

by Riverside Heights Dental December 14th, 2022 in Dental Services
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There are several types of dental crowns which enables our dental practice in Surrey to address a wide variety of dental issues. Cracked or damaged teeth, teeth weakened by decay, or covering implants are just a few of the problems we can easily fix with crowns.

Crowns come in varying sizes and various compositions. We’re listing some of the options so you know a bit more about them.

Types of dental crowns in Surrey

  • Inlay (partial crown)
  • Onlay (partial crown)
  • Porcelain
  • Gold
  • PFM

Partial Crowns

Inlay: Known as a partial crown, this is the smallest type. It’s used to fill a cavity space that is too big for a regular filling.

Onlay: Also called a partial crown, onlays are larger than inlays and cover the cusps (pointy edges) of a tooth.

Full Crowns

Full crowns cover the entire tooth and can be made of different materials. The following are the most popular types and listed in order from more costly to less costly, generally speaking. 

Porcelain: Tends to be the most popular type of metal-free crown. Porcelain most closely resembles natural teeth. It’s not as strong as metal crowns and may chip, so is usually reserved for the front teeth and is not recommended for patients with bruxism (teeth grinding).

Gold: A fully metal crown, gold is strong and durable. It won’t chip or break, but is highly visible, so tends to be used for back teeth. Not recommended for patients allergic to the metal alloy.

PFM: Stands for porcelain-fused-to-metal. This type has porcelain on top fused to a metal base. The metal adds extra strength and durability. If your gums are thin or receding, the metal may become visible at the gumline.

The procedure for getting a dental crown in Surrey involves preparing the tooth, taking a mould, obtaining a temporary crown to wear while the real one is made, and finally fitting the real one. Find a few extra details on our website here, as well as on the Canadian Dental Association webpage. Which type of crown you get will depend upon your particular dental problem, allergies, aesthetics and cost.

Speak to a dentist at RiversideHeights to find out which crown is the best solution for you. 


Call Riverside Heights Dental for more information on crowns for your teeth. Our dentist office is located near the Guildford mall in North Surrey.