Crown Materials — Porcelain, Zirconia, Gold, and PFM
Crowns can be made from several different materials, each with its own balance of strength, appearance, and longevity. The right material for one tooth may not be the right material for another. At Sandgate Family Dental we recommend a crown material based on which tooth is being restored, how visible it is, your bite, and your priorities for aesthetics and durability.
If you have been told you need a crown and would like to understand which material may suit your tooth, book an appointment online for an unhurried discussion. We see patients from Sandgate, Brighton, Bracken Ridge, Shorncliffe, and the wider northern Brisbane area.
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Quick overview
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All-ceramic and porcelain crowns
All-ceramic crowns are made entirely from tooth-coloured material with no metal underneath. They allow light to pass through the way enamel does, which is why they tend to look the most natural in the front of the mouth.
Strengths
Excellent appearance — particularly well-suited to front teeth and the visible parts of the smile.
No dark metal margin to show at the gumline if the gum recedes over time.
Biocompatible — well tolerated by gum tissue.
Considerations
Some all-ceramic materials are less strong than zirconia, and may not be the first choice for heavily loaded molars or for patients with significant grinding habits.
Material selection within “all-ceramic” matters — your dentist will choose between options such as lithium disilicate based on the situation.
For comparison with cosmetic alternatives on visible teeth see our page on crowns vs veneers.
Zirconia crowns
Zirconia is a tough ceramic widely used in modern crowns. Older “monolithic” zirconia crowns were strong but quite opaque. Newer generations of zirconia are more translucent, allowing good aesthetics while keeping much of the strength.
Strengths
Very strong — well-suited to back teeth and patients with heavier bites.
Resistant to fracture and wear.
Can be made with no metal at all.
Modern translucent zirconia can give a natural appearance, even on visible teeth.
Considerations
The hardest grades are very strong but not always as translucent as porcelain — your dentist will balance strength and appearance for the specific tooth.
Adjusting and polishing zirconia in the mouth needs careful technique to remain gentle on the opposing teeth.
Gold crowns
Gold has been used in dentistry for a very long time and remains an excellent material from a mechanical standpoint. Gold alloys are well tolerated by gum tissue and exceptionally durable.
Strengths
Very long-wearing — many gold crowns last for decades when looked after.
Gentle on the opposing tooth — wears at a similar rate to enamel.
Requires less reduction of the underlying tooth than some other materials, which can be more conservative.
Excellent fit and sealing at the margins.
Considerations
Not tooth-coloured — most patients today prefer not to have gold visible in the smile.
Cost can be influenced by the gold content of the alloy and market prices.
Gold is still a sensible choice for back molars where appearance is not a concern and longevity matters most.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns
A PFM crown has a metal substructure for strength, with porcelain bonded over it for appearance. PFM crowns have been a workhorse of crown dentistry for many decades.
Strengths
Strong and reasonably aesthetic combination.
Well-proven over many years of clinical use.
Useful for bridges where strength matters but the visible portion also needs to look like a tooth.
Considerations
If the gum recedes over time, a thin dark line of metal may become visible at the edge of the crown.
Newer all-ceramic and zirconia materials achieve similar combinations of strength and aesthetics without the metal layer, so PFM is used less often in cosmetic areas today.
Aesthetics vs durability — finding the balance
Most material choices come back to two questions: how visible is the tooth, and how much load does it carry? The general pattern:
Front teeth — appearance matters most. All-ceramic and translucent zirconia are typically preferred.
Premolars (the in-between teeth) — both appearance and strength matter. Translucent zirconia and high-strength ceramics work well here.
Molars — strength matters most. Zirconia is a common choice; gold remains an excellent option for patients who do not mind the appearance.
If you grind or clench your teeth, the bite forces involved are higher and a stronger material is usually recommended. A custom nightguard is often advised to protect any crown — and your natural teeth — from grinding.
What about same-day crowns?
Some crowns can be designed and milled in a single visit using in-chair scanning and milling technology. This is most commonly done with ceramic blocks. For some teeth, however, a laboratory-fabricated crown remains the better option — for example, where layered porcelain is needed for the most natural appearance. Your dentist will explain whether same-day fabrication is suitable for your tooth.
How material choice affects the appointment
1. Assessment and planning
No dark metal margin to show at the gumline if the gum recedes over time.
Biocompatible — well tolerated by gum tissue.
Material selection within “all-ceramic” matters — your dentist will choose between options such as lithium disilicate based on the situation.
Zirconia is a tough ceramic widely used in modern crowns. Older “monolithic” zirconia crowns were strong but quite opaque. Newer generations of zirconia are more translucent, allowing good aesthetics while keeping much of the strength.
Strengths
Resistant to fracture and wear.
Can be made with no metal at all.
Modern translucent zirconia can give a natural appearance, even on visible teeth.
Adjusting and polishing zirconia in the mouth needs careful technique to remain gentle on the opposing teeth.
Gold has been used in dentistry for a very long time and remains an excellent material from a mechanical standpoint. Gold alloys are well tolerated by gum tissue and exceptionally durable.
Strengths
Gentle on the opposing tooth — wears at a similar rate to enamel.
Requires less reduction of the underlying tooth than some other materials, which can be more conservative.
Excellent fit and sealing at the margins.
Cost can be influenced by the gold content of the alloy and market prices.
A PFM crown has a metal substructure for strength, with porcelain bonded over it for appearance. PFM crowns have been a workhorse of crown dentistry for many decades.
Strengths
Well-proven over many years of clinical use.
Useful for bridges where strength matters but the visible portion also needs to look like a tooth.
Newer all-ceramic and zirconia materials achieve similar combinations of strength and aesthetics without the metal layer, so PFM is used less often in cosmetic areas today.
Most material choices come back to two questions: how visible is the tooth, and how much load does it carry? The general pattern:
Premolars (the in-between teeth) — both appearance and strength matter. Translucent zirconia and high-strength ceramics work well here.
Molars — strength matters most. Zirconia is a common choice; gold remains an excellent option for patients who do not mind the appearance.
Some crowns can be designed and milled in a single visit using in-chair scanning and milling technology. This is most commonly done with ceramic blocks. For some teeth, however, a laboratory-fabricated crown remains the better option — for example, where layered porcelain is needed for the most natural appearance. Your dentist will explain whether same-day fabrication is suitable for your tooth.
1. Assessment and planning
We assess the tooth, the bite, and any signs of grinding. Shade, translucency, and the appearance of the surrounding teeth are recorded so the laboratory can match the new crown.
2. Preparation and impression
The tooth is gently shaped to receive a crown. The amount of preparation depends on the material — gold may need less reduction than full-coverage zirconia or porcelain. A digital scan or impression is taken.
3. Temporary crown
A temporary crown protects the tooth while the laboratory fabricates the final crown. Same-day milling can sometimes remove this step.
4. Fitting
The final crown is checked for fit, contour, contacts, and bite, then bonded or cemented in place.
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Looking after a crown
Brush and floss as you would natural teeth. Pay particular attention to the gumline, where the crown meets your tooth. Avoid chewing very hard objects (ice, pen lids), and consider a nightguard if you grind. Routine check-ups and cleans let us monitor the crown, the underlying tooth, and the surrounding gum.
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Who each material may suit
Payment
Health funds and payment
We are a HICAPS provider, so where you have eligible dental cover we can process your health fund claim at the practice and you only pay any gap. Rebates depend on your individual policy and annual limits — your fund can confirm before treatment. Useful background: major dental cover.
We provide itemised treatment plans with item numbers so you can check entitlements ahead of time. Payment plan options are available for larger treatment.
FAQs
Crown material FAQs
Which crown material lasts the longest?
Gold remains an exceptional long-term performer. Modern zirconia is also very durable. Longevity depends not only on the material but also on the underlying tooth, the bite, hygiene, and habits like grinding.
Which crown looks most like a natural tooth?
For front teeth, all-ceramic crowns generally have the most lifelike appearance because they allow light to pass through the way enamel does. Translucent zirconia can also give very natural results.
Are zirconia crowns too hard for the opposing tooth?
Modern polished zirconia is much gentler on the opposing tooth than the early-generation material. Careful polishing after any adjustment is important.
Are metal-free crowns always better?
Not necessarily. PFM crowns still have a role in certain bridge designs and selected cases. The newer all-ceramic materials are excellent for most cosmetic situations.
Will my dentist choose for me?
We will recommend a material and explain why, but the choice is made together. We will also be open about cases where two materials are both reasonable choices, so you can weigh up appearance, strength, and cost.
Can different teeth have different materials?
Yes — it is common to use different materials for different teeth based on visibility and load. A back molar might be zirconia or gold while a front tooth is all-ceramic.
Will the material affect the cost?
Materials and laboratory fees vary. We will explain the costs as part of your treatment plan so there are no surprises.
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Speak to our team
If you would like to discuss the right crown material for your tooth, our team is happy to explain the options and trade-offs without pressure. Book an appointment online or phone the practice during opening hours.
Related pages
Related pages
Need a crown?
Talk to our team about the right material for your situation.
Or phone Sandgate Family Dental on (07) 3269 6252.