Getting a crown is not a rare or unpopular thing nowadays. There is no need to educate people about the importance of the crown as well.

But what often confuses patients is the choice between different crown types, especially PFM vs zirconia crowns, and which one is better for their case. In this article, we will consider the two most important crowns that are prevailing in the market currently.When a tooth gets weak or damaged, a crown is often the best way to save it. Crowns cover the tooth, protect it, and restore its appearance and function to normal.

Two common types are porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns and zirconia crowns. Both work well, but they are different in some ways. This hypothetical case study explains how a patient might choose between them.

The Patient

Let us imagine patient A. He is 38, works long hours, and recently accidentally chipped his lower right back tooth or molar while eating something hard. The tooth had a cavity earlier, so it was already fragile.

The dentist checked and said, “You need a root canal treatment for your tooth, and a crown to keep the tooth intact. Without a crown, the tooth may crack again, damage  your root canal and might have to be removed.”

The patient had two choices: a PFM crown or a zirconia crown.

PFM Crown

A PFM crown or porcelain-fused-to-metal crown has a strong metal base. On top of this, a tooth-colored porcelain is fused, which makes it look like a natural tooth.

PFM crowns are:

• Strong enough for back teeth
• Cheaper than zirconia crowns
• Reasonably tooth colored

But there are some things to think about when you choose PFM crowns like

• After long-term wearing of the crown, the gums can shrink a little, the crown also gets worn off at the cervical edge, and this can make the metal edge near the gums show as a grey line.
• The porcelain layer is fused to metal and can chip under pressure, showing the metal inside.
• PFM crowns are thicker than zirconia crowns, so in order to make them fit into the dentition, the dentist may have to remove more of the tooth structure to fit the crown.

Zirconia Crown

Zirconia crowns are made from a single block of strong ceramic or zirconium dioxide. There is no metal layer inside like PFMS. They are shaped or made using special digital machines called 3D milling to fit perfectly on to the patients’ teeth.

Zirconia crowns are:

• Extremely strong and long-lasting
• Natural looking with no grey lines near the gums.
• Smooth and comfortable for chewing
• Often requires less removal of the natural tooth.

However, everything has benefits and flaws, so when a patient takes a Zirconia Crown under consideration, the following points should be kept in mind:

• The main drawback is cost. They are usually more expensive than PFMs.
• Sometimes, due to the strength of the Zirconia crown, the opposite tooth gets a little rough and worn, but your dentist’s skills can avoid this issue.

Comparing crowns for our Patient A

In Patient A’s case, both crowns could fix the tooth. Here is how they compare:

Strength – Both are strong, but zirconia is more resistant to chips and further damage Looks – Zirconia blends better with other teeth and stays the same color over time. There is no grey line exposure, yellowing over the years or chipping off of the porcelain layer like in PFM crowns.

Cost – PFM crown is cheaper, but zirconia may give more value over the years.

Tooth Structure Saving – Zirconia crowns may allow more of the natural tooth to stay, and is a conservative approach towards saving the intact tooth structure, as compared to PFMs

The Rational Choice

Since patient A’s tooth shows a little when he smiles, he would likely choose zirconia. It will look more natural, stay the same colour, and last many years without metal showing. If the tooth was at the back and never visible, and the budget was a concern, PFM could still be a good choice.

What This Shows

From this case, it is clear:

• PFM crowns are strong, reliable, and cost less. They suit teeth where looks are not the top priority.
• Zirconia crowns are metal-free, look more natural, and last a long time. They suit patients who want the best mix of beauty and strength.

The right crown depends on where the tooth is, how much you want to spend, and how important appearance is to you.

In a Nutshell

Both the crowns, whether a PFM or Zirconia, protect teeth well. PFMs are trusted and affordable. Zirconia is modern, beautiful, and long-lasting. If you want a crown that blends perfectly with your natural teeth and stays that way for years, Illusion Zirconia Dental Crowns, by Illusion Dental Lab, are a great choice. They are made with precision, look lifelike, and give you the confidence to smile every day.