Key Takeaway
- Dental crowns are used to strengthen, protect and restore structurally compromised teeth.
- Different crown materials offer different advantages in durability, appearance, cost and clinical suitability.
- Porcelain, zirconia and E-max crowns are the most popular modern tooth-coloured options.
- Metal alloys and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns remain useful for strength-critical cases.
- Each crown type has unique benefits depending on tooth location, bite forces, cosmetic goals and treatment budget.
- Choosing the right crown material can significantly improve longevity and aesthetic outcome.
💡 Whites Dental offers expert guidance and advanced tooth dental crown options in Central London.
Introduction: Why Understanding Crown Types Matters
Dental tooth crowns are the most popular and also the most common methods for restoration amongst dentists. They are used when a tooth is too damaged to support a filling but still healthy enough to save. Crowns restore shape, function, strength and appearance — but the type of crown chosen has a major impact on long-term results.
With advances in dental materials, patients now have more options than ever. However, these choices can feel confusing without clear guidance. From traditional metal crowns to next-generation zirconia and lithium-disilicate ceramics like E-max, each material offers unique benefits suited to different situations.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the main types of dental crowns, their advantages, drawbacks, durability expectations, ideal uses and cost considerations — giving patients the clarity they need to make informed decisions.
What A Dental Crown Actually Is
A tooth crown is essentially a cap for your tooth, that’s custom made for that tooth and fits exactly over your existing tooth. It restores:
- Strength
- Stability.
- Shape.
- Appearance
- Function
- Protection after damage
Crowns are typically recommended for:
- Heavily decayed teeth
- Weak or fractured teeth.
- After root canal treatment
- Large failing fillings
- Severe wear or erosion
- Cosmetic improvement
- Dental implant restorations
💡 Understanding crown materials helps patients choose the right restoration for long-lasting, natural-looking results.
Why Material Choice Matters
The material used for a crown influences:
- Aesthetic appearance
- Strength and fracture resistance
- Wear resistance
- Transparency and colour-matching
- Suitability for front vs. back teeth
- Longevity
- Cost
- Biocompatibility (gum friendliness)
- Tooth preparation requirements
💡 Selecting the right type ensures the crown performs well under the patient’s chewing forces and matches their aesthetic expectations.
Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns are among the most natural-looking dental restorations available. They are made entirely from ceramic material, offering excellent translucency and light reflection similar to real enamel.
Benefits Of Porcelain Crowns
- Highly aesthetic with superior colour matching
- Excellent translucency for natural light reflection
- Metal-free and fully biocompatible
- Resistant to staining
- Suitable for front teeth where appearance matters most
- Can be layered for highly customised natural shading
Limitations
- Less strong than zirconia under heavy bite force
- Not ideal for patients who grind or clench unless reinforced
- Can chip if excessive force is applied
- Requires removal of some enamel to ensure proper thickness
Best Uses
- Front teeth restorations
- Cases requiring high cosmetic quality
- Patients avoiding metal in dental work
💡 Porcelain crowns remain a leading choice when natural beauty is the priority.
Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia is a very strong compound used as a dental material for restorations. Made from zirconium dioxide, these crowns combine durability with improved aesthetics over older metal-based crowns.
Benefits Of Zirconia Crowns
- Exceptional strength — ideal for molars
- Highly resistant to fracture
- Withstands heavy biting forces
- Suitable for patients with bruxism
- Can be made in monolithic (one-piece) or layered forms
- Tooth-coloured alternative to metal
- Highly biocompatible
Limitations
- Less translucent than porcelain or E-max
- Can sometimes appear slightly opaque
- Requires precise prepping and polishing to avoid wear on opposing teeth
Types Of Zirconia Crowns
- Monolithic zirconia
Best for back teeth requiring maximum strength. - Layered zirconia
Combines strength with added aesthetic layering for front teeth. - High-translucency zirconia
A newer formulation offering improved cosmetic results.
Best Uses
- Molars and premolars
- Patients with strong bite force
- Situations requiring high durability
💡 Zirconia crowns are one of the best choices for long-term strength and stability.
E-max Crowns (Lithium Disilicate)
E-max is a brand of lithium disilicate ceramic known for its balance of beauty and strength. It is one of the most advanced ceramic materials used in dentistry.
Benefits Of E-max Crowns
- Excellent translucency and realism.
- Very strong for front and premolar teeth
- Metal-free
- Ideal for cosmetic smile restorations
- Minimally invasive tooth preparation
- Can be milled digitally for precision
Limitations
- Not as strong as full zirconia for molars
- Higher cost due to advanced ceramic technology
- May chip under extreme forces
Best Uses
- Front teeth
- Premolars
- Cosmetic smile makeovers.
- Cases requiring lifelike translucency
💡 E-max is often the preferred material for patients prioritising top-tier aesthetics combined with reliable strength.
Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal (PFM) Crowns
PFM crowns have a porcelain outer layer and an inner metal layer – fused together. This design provides strength with improved aesthetics over full metal crowns.
Benefits Of PFM Crowns
- Strong metal base for durability
- Porcelain overlay offers improved cosmetics
- Long-established and widely used
- Suitable for both front and back teeth.
Limitations
- Metal in the crown can sometime cause a dark line to appear at the gum line with time
- Porcelain may chip, exposing the metal underneath
- Less natural translucency compared to ceramics
- Not ideal for patients with thin gums
Best Uses
- Mixed-aesthetic cases
- Bridgework requiring strong underlying frameworks
- Back teeth where porcelain-only may risk fracture
💡 Though slowly being replaced by zirconia and E-max, PFM crowns still hold practical value in certain clinical situations.
Gold Crowns And Metal Alloy Crowns
Metal crowns made from gold, palladium, nickel or chromium alloys were once the standard for strength and longevity.
Benefits Of Metal Crowns
- Extremely durable
- Minimal tooth preparation required
- Longest lifespan of any crown type.
- Rarely fracture or chip
- Ideal for patients who grind or clench heavily
Limitations
- Poor aesthetics — visibly metallic
- Not suitable for visible teeth
- Allergies may occur with some base metal alloys
Best Uses
- Back molars
- Patients with very strong bites
- Occlusion-heavy cases requiring durability
💡 Gold crowns continue to be the most reliable long-lasting option, though aesthetics limit widespread use.
Composite Resin Crowns
Composite crowns are made from the same material as white fillings and are used less commonly today.
Benefits Of Composite Crowns
- Low cost
- Good temporary solution
- Easily repaired or adjusted
Limitations
- Weak compared to ceramic or metal
- Prone to staining
- Shorter lifespan
- Not ideal for heavy bite forces
Best Uses
- Temporary crowns
- Low-cost short-term restorations
💡 Composite is typically used as a provisional solution rather than a permanent restoration.
Stainless Steel Crowns (Mainly For Children)
These are pre-formed crowns often used in paediatric dentistry.
Benefits
- Durable
- Cost-effective
- Quick placement
- Effective for decayed baby molars
Limitations
- Metallic appearance
- Not suitable for adult teeth
Best Uses
- Children’s back teeth with extensive decay
💡 These crowns are functional but not aesthetic, and therefore not used for adult permanent restorations.
Comparing The Main Types Of Dental Crowns
Strength Comparison
- Strongest: Zirconia.
- Very strong: E-max (premolars/front teeth)
- Durable but weaker: Porcelain
- Longest lasting: Gold
Aesthetic Comparison
- Most natural-looking: E-max
- Highly aesthetic: Porcelain
- Improved aesthetics: Layered zirconia
- Least aesthetic: Metal alloys
Best For Front Teeth
- E-max
- Porcelain
- Layered zirconia
Best For Back Teeth
- Zirconia.
- Gold
- PFM
Factors Dentists Consider When Choosing Crown Material
A dentist will recommend a crown material based on:
- Tooth location
- Visible gum line
- Aesthetic goals
- Bite strength
- Grinding or clenching habits
- Tooth structure remaining.
- Patient age
- Budget
- Allergies or sensitivities
- Existing restorations
💡 A customised recommendation ensures longevity and performance.
How Tooth Location Influences Crown Choice
Front Teeth (Incisors & Canines)
Priorities: Aesthetics, translucency, natural shine
Best materials:
- E-max
- Porcelain.
- Layered zirconia
Premolars
Priorities: Balance of strength and beauty
Best materials:
- E-max
- Zirconia
- PFM (less common recently)
Molars
Priorities: Strength, durability, fracture resistance
Best materials:
- Zirconia
- Gold
- PFM
💡 Matching the material to the tooth’s function ensures optimal long-term performance.
How Long Each Type Of Crown Lasts
Longevity varies significantly by material and care.
Average Lifespans
- Gold: 20–40+ years
- Zirconia: 15–20+ years
- PFM: 10–20 years
- E-max: 10–15+ years.
- Porcelain: 10–15 years
- Composite: 3–7 years
💡 Proper oral care extends the lifespan of all crown types.
How Much Different Crown Types Typically Cost
Although prices vary by clinic and case complexity, typical UK private costs are:
- Porcelain: £800–£900
- PFM: £700–£750
- Zirconia: £800–£1,100
- E-max: £900–£1,200
- Gold: £900–£1,500 (depending on gold market price)
- Composite: £350–£600
💡 Zirconia and E-max sit at the premium end due to advanced digital technology and superior performance.
How Whites Dental Can Help With Dental Crowns In London
Whites Dental provides a full range of dental crown treatments using the latest materials and digital dentistry methods for strong, durable and natural aesthetic results.
We offer:
- E-max ceramic crowns.
- Premium zirconia crowns.
- High-aesthetic porcelain crowns
- PFM and gold crowns where clinically appropriate
- Digital scanning instead of traditional impressions
- Custom shade matching for natural results
- Experienced restorative and cosmetic dentists
- Transparent treatment plans and guidance
Our clinicians assess your bite, tooth structure, gum health, aesthetic goals and functional needs to recommend the ideal crown material for long-lasting success. We provide tooth crowns from our two Central London dental practices:
Whites Dental Waterloo
172 Blackfriars Road
London SE1 8ER
Whites Dental Marble Arch
52B Kendal Street
St George’s Fields
London W2 2BP
💡 Whether you need a single crown, a full smile restoration or expert advice on which crown type suits you best, our team is here to help.
Conclusion
Dental crowns remain one of the most versatile and effective ways to restore damaged or weakened teeth. With multiple high-performance materials available — including porcelain, zirconia, E-max, gold and PFM — patients have more options than ever to achieve strong, long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing results.
Each material has specific strengths, limitations and ideal uses. Understanding the differences empowers patients to choose a crown that suits their functional needs, cosmetic goals and long-term expectations.
With expert guidance from an experienced dentist, you can select the crown type that will restore your tooth comfortably and beautifully for many years to come.