The Benefits of Metal Crowns
Portland, OR
 Dental crowns are among the most versatile restorations in modern dentistry and are used here at Weissman Dental. Metal crowns protect weakened teeth, restore normal function, and help patients maintain healthy smiles. While many people are familiar with tooth-colored crowns made from porcelain or ceramic, metal crowns continue to play an important role in restorative dentistry because of their exceptional strength and durability.
Metal crowns have been used successfully for decades and remain an excellent solution for certain teeth and situations, particularly molars, where strength often matters more than appearance. For many patients, a metal crown provides a reliable, long-lasting restoration that supports oral health while requiring minimal maintenance.
Why a Dental Crown May Be Needed
A dental crown is a custom-made covering that fits over the entire visible portion of a damaged tooth, restoring its shape, size, and function while protecting it from further damage.
At Weissman Dental we may recommend a crown for several reasons, including:
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Protecting a tooth with a large filling
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Restoring a broken or severely worn tooth
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Strengthening a tooth after root canal therapy
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Repairing a cracked tooth
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Supporting a dental bridge
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Covering a misshapen tooth |
Regardless of the material chosen, the goal is always to restore comfort, function, and long-term oral health.
What Are Metal Crowns?
Metal crowns are fabricated from durable dental alloys that may contain gold, platinum, palladium, nickel, chromium, cobalt, or other metals designed for use in the mouth, with the exact composition depending on the patient's needs. Unlike porcelain, metal maintains its strength even when made very thin, allowing the dentist to preserve more natural tooth structure during preparation while still providing excellent protection. Although metal crowns have a distinct appearance, they are most commonly placed on back teeth, where they are not easily visible when speaking or smiling.
Exceptional Durability and Wear Resistance
One of the greatest benefits of metal crowns is their remarkable durability. They are among the strongest restorative materials available in dentistry, and back teeth experience tremendous pressure every day while chewing foods such as nuts, ice, crunchy vegetables, and dense meats. Metal crowns are specifically designed to tolerate these heavy biting forces without cracking, fracturing, or wearing down the way many other restorative materials eventually do.
Patients who grind or clench their teeth may also benefit from this strength. Treatment for teeth grinding may still be recommended, but the restoration itself resists damage from excessive pressure and keeps its integrity over many years of regular use with proper dental care.
Conservative Tooth Preparation
Another advantage of metal crowns is that they require less removal of healthy tooth structure. Since metal remains strong even in thin sections, the dentist can often prepare the tooth more conservatively than they would for porcelain or ceramic restorations. Preserving additional natural tooth structure helps maintain the overall strength of the tooth and supports long-term oral health, since enamel and dentin cannot be replaced once removed.
Reduced Risk of Chipping
Porcelain crowns offer beautiful aesthetics but may occasionally chip under certain conditions, especially when subjected to heavy biting forces or trauma. Metal crowns have no porcelain layer to fracture or chip, and instead maintain their structural integrity under demanding conditions. For patients whose highest priority is durability rather than appearance, this makes metal crowns an excellent restorative choice.
Gentle on Opposing Teeth and Precise in Fit
Despite their strength, properly polished metal crowns are surprisingly kind to opposing natural teeth. Their smooth surface lets teeth glide naturally during chewing, reducing friction and wear on the opposing tooth compared to rougher surfaces, and proper bite adjustment ensures comfortable chewing.
Metal crowns also have a long history of an excellent marginal fit. A precise fit helps seal the restored tooth against bacteria, reduces the likelihood of decay beneath the crown, and supports healthy gum tissue, and modern dental technology allows laboratories to fabricate accurate crowns that closely match the prepared tooth for dependable long-term performance.
Long-Term Value
Although every patient's treatment needs are unique, metal crowns are well known for their longevity. Combined with good oral hygiene and regular dental examinations, many remain functional for decades, often meaning fewer repairs or replacements than restorations that wear or fracture more easily.
Where Metal Crowns Are Most Beneficial
Metal crowns are particularly well suited for teeth that experience the greatest chewing forces, and our team may recommend one if you:
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Need a restoration for a first or second molar, or another tooth not visible when smiling
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Have heavy biting forces, or frequently grind or clench your teeth
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Have limited remaining natural tooth structure or significant existing wear
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Need a tooth restored to support a dental bridge
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Want maximum durability and a restoration with a long clinical track record
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Want to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible |
Because appearance is less of a concern for back teeth, patients can take full advantage of the strength metal crowns provide, and every recommendation is based on your individual oral health, bite, and long-term goals.
Caring for a Metal Crown
Metal crowns require the same routine care as natural teeth.
To help your restoration last as long as possible:
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Brush twice each day using fluoride toothpaste
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Floss carefully around the crown to remove plaque
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Attend regular professional cleanings and dental examinations
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Avoid chewing on hard non-food objects like pens or ice
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Wear a nightguard if recommended for teeth grinding |
Good oral hygiene helps protect the tooth beneath the crown and supports the health of the surrounding gums.
Choosing the Right Crown Material
There is no single crown material that is best for every patient. Porcelain, ceramic, zirconia, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and metal crowns each offer advantages depending on the location of the tooth, cosmetic goals, bite strength, and overall oral health. Our dental team will carefully evaluate your smile, discuss your priorities, and recommend the restoration that offers the best combination of strength, function, and appearance for your specific needs.
Restore Your Smile with Confidence
Metal crowns remain one of the most dependable restorative options in dentistry. Their exceptional durability, excellent fit, resistance to wear, and ability to withstand powerful chewing forces make them an outstanding choice for many back teeth, helping patients enjoy comfortable chewing, improved function, and healthier smiles. Contact Weissman Dental at (503) 274-2222 today if you are in need of a dental crown. |
