Posted December 17, 2025 in Dental Crowns
Hearing that you “need a crown” can bring up a lot of questions, primarily: what kind? Whether your tooth has been bothering you or your dentist identified an issue during a routine exam, today’s dental crowns are far from one-size-fits-all.
Dental crowns are commonly used to restore decayed teeth and teeth that are weakened, broken, or worn. From fast, same-day options to highly aesthetic ceramic materials, modern dental crowns are designed to support your long-term oral health, your bite, and your natural smile.
In this blog, we’ll walk through the different types of dental crowns so you can feel informed and confident before your next appointment.
5 Min Read:
Table of Contents
- Types of Dental Crown by Function
- Types of Dental Crowns by Style
- Types of Material Used in Dental Crowns
- Types of Dental Crowns Used on Different Teeth
Types of Dental Crowns by Function
Dental crowns serve different purposes depending on how much of your tooth requires protection and restoration. They are commonly used to restore a broken tooth, a worn-down tooth, or a weakened tooth that has been damaged by decay, trauma, or wear. Dental crowns are often recommended after a root canal treatment to protect the tooth. A dental crown can also support a tooth that has a large filling. Additionally, dental crowns are often used to protect weak teeth from further damage or the need for extraction.
Full Dental Crown
A full crown covers your entire tooth above the gumline, offering the most protection for severely damaged or weakened teeth.
Partial Dental Crown
A partial crown—often called an onlay or three-quarter crown—only covers the portion of the tooth that needs reinforcing. This allows your dentist to preserve more of your natural tooth structure while still restoring its strength and function.
Types of Dental Crowns by Style
Several dental crown styles are available, each suited to different treatment timelines and tooth needs.
Traditional Crowns
Traditional dental crowns require two visits to your dentist: one for tooth preparation and impressions, and another to place the custom-made crown once it’s fabricated at a dental lab. The dental crown procedure may involve additional steps, such as a root canal, before crown placement, depending on your specific dental needs.
During the second visit, crown placement involves fitting the crown securely over your prepared tooth to restore its function and appearance.
Temporary Crowns
A temporary dental crown is typically used to protect your tooth while the final crown (permanent dental crown) is being fabricated. They are usually made of acrylic or resin, intended for short-term wear, and will be replaced by a permanent dental crown once it is ready.
Same-Day Crowns
Same-day dental crowns, also known as Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC) crowns, use CAD/CAM technology to design, mill, and place your crown in a single appointment. An indirect resin crown can also be fabricated directly in the dental office as a cost-effective, same-day solution for patients seeking convenience.
Composite resin crowns are generally the most affordable type of dental crown, but they are less durable and more prone to wear and staining, making them suitable for short-term or budget-conscious needs. They offer a fast, convenient treatment option without the hassle of multiple appointments or temporary restorations.
Onlays
Onlays, sometimes called partial crowns, restore only part of your tooth, making them a more conservative treatment than full crowns while still offering excellent cosmetic and durability benefits.
Types of Material Used in Dental Crowns
Dental crowns come in a wide range of materials, each offering advantages in aesthetics and durability. The type of material used is the biggest factor influencing the price of a dental crown.
Metal
Metal crowns are made from metals such as gold, palladium, nickel, and chromium. Gold and metal alloys are commonly used in metal crowns. Gold crowns and gold alloy crowns are known for their durability, biocompatibility, and long-standing reputation.
Metal crowns are extremely strong and long-lasting. Gold alloy is used for its strength, resistance to fracture, and similarity to natural tooth wear. While not tooth-colored, their durability makes them ideal for out-of-sight molars and less visible teeth that need to withstand heavy forces from actions like chewing and grinding. Metal crowns require only minimal enamel removal, helping to preserve natural tooth structure.
Porcelain
Porcelain crowns, including all-porcelain crowns and ceramic crowns, are highly aesthetic and designed to mimic the translucency of natural enamel.
Porcelain crowns are popular for their natural appearance and are especially suitable for patients with metal allergies, as they are entirely metal-free. They are a popular choice for restoring front teeth and other visible areas where appearance matters as much as function.
Ceramic crowns are often chosen for front teeth because of their natural translucency and ability to blend seamlessly with surrounding teeth. Additionally, ceramic crowns tend to cause less enamel wear on opposing teeth compared to some other materials.
Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM)
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) dental crowns combine a metal core with a porcelain coating, blending beauty and strength by layering porcelain over a metal base. The porcelain coating creates a natural appearance, but it may chip or wear over time. PFM crowns can be matched to the shade of your natural teeth, providing a more aesthetic appearance. However, they can sometimes cause a dark or gray line at the gumline, especially if the gums recede, while modern ceramic and all-porcelain crowns eliminate this issue for a more natural look at the gumline. Additionally, PFM crowns may cause wear on adjacent teeth due to the porcelain’s hardness. They offer the aesthetics of porcelain crowns while still delivering the strength and added reinforcement of metal crowns.
Resin
Resin crowns are more affordable but generally less durable than other dental crown options. They’re suitable as temporary solutions or when a lower-cost material is preferred.
Zirconia
Zirconia crowns are made from zirconium dioxide, a highly durable and biocompatible ceramic material. Since they are metal-free crowns, zirconia crowns are an excellent choice for patients with metal allergies. Zirconia crowns are incredibly strong and fracture-resistant, making them ideal for molars and patients who grind their teeth (bruxism). They are also gentle on opposing teeth, causing less wear compared to other materials. This type of dental crown also comes in tooth-colored varieties for enhanced aesthetics.
E.max® Lithium Disilicate
E.max® crowns, also known as lithium disilicate crowns or all-ceramic crowns, are known for their exceptional blend of beauty and durability. Their glass-ceramic material provides a natural, translucent look, making them an ideal choice for repairing and protecting visible teeth. Lithium disilicate (e.max®) crowns are widely used for visible front teeth due to their superior aesthetics.
Types of Dental Crowns Used on Different Teeth
Different teeth require different crown types, balancing strength, appearance, and long-term function.
Dental crowns are also used in dental bridge procedures to replace a missing tooth. Crowns can hold dental bridges in place by fitting over the teeth on either side of the gap. Proper dental crown placement is essential for the success and durability of dental bridges.
Molars
Molars, also known as back teeth, need crowns made out of materials that can withstand significant, consistent bite pressure. Durable options such as zirconia, metal alloys, and PFM crowns are well-suited for these teeth.
Visible Teeth
Front teeth require restorations that look lifelike and blend seamlessly with your other teeth, especially when covering a discolored tooth. Porcelain or E-Max crowns are often chosen for their natural appearance and precise color matching. Certain crown types, such as pressed ceramic crowns, are suitable for both front and back teeth, providing versatility for restoring visible and chewing teeth.
Learn More About Dental Crown Types in Las Cruces
Choosing the right dental crown may seem overwhelming, but it’s easy when you have the guidance of a skilled, experienced dentist. If you’ve been told you need a crown (or suspect you might), it’s time to schedule an appointment at Gentle Care Dentistry.
Call our office today at (575) 524-3722 or complete our online contact form to find the ideal solution to protect your smile’s health, function, and appearance.