Dental crowns are made from five main categories of material: metal alloys, porcelain fused to metal, all-ceramic (including zirconia and lithium disilicate), resin composite, and temporary acrylic. The right choice depends on where the crown sits in your mouth, how much force it needs to handle, and how natural you want it to look.
Metal Alloy Crowns
Metal crowns are the oldest and most durable option. They fall into three classes based on how much precious metal they contain. High-noble alloys contain at least 60% noble metals by weight and at least 40% gold. A typical high-noble crown is about 75% gold, with roughly 10% each of silver and copper, plus a small amount of palladium. Some formulations swap in platinum alongside gold and silver. Noble alloys contain at least 25% noble metals but may have less gold, relying more on silver and palladium. Base metal alloys contain less than 25% noble metals and are built primarily from nickel, chromium, and cobalt.
Metal crowns rarely crack or chip and can last decades with normal care. The obvious drawback is appearance: they look metallic. That makes them a practical choice for second molars and other teeth hidden from view, but most people don’t want them on visible teeth. Base metal options cost significantly less than gold, but they carry a higher risk of allergic reactions. Nickel allergy is the most common, affecting roughly 23% of people tested in allergy studies, with women more frequently affected. Chromium and cobalt can also trigger delayed skin or gum reactions. If you have a known metal sensitivity, your dentist will typically steer you toward a noble alloy or a metal-free option entirely.
Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM)
PFM crowns combine a thin metal shell with a porcelain coating that matches the color of your natural teeth. The metal substructure provides strength while the porcelain layer handles the aesthetics. These crowns have been the workhorse of dentistry for decades. In one large practice-based study tracking crowns over 11 years, nearly 64% of all crowns placed were PFM.
The main limitation is that the porcelain layer can chip away from the metal underneath over time, exposing a dark line at the gum margin. This is most noticeable on front teeth, especially if your gums recede with age. PFM crowns also block light rather than letting it pass through the way a natural tooth does, which can make them look slightly opaque compared to newer all-ceramic options.
Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia has become the go-to material when strength matters most. It’s a ceramic, but it behaves more like metal in terms of resistance to fracture. The strongest version, sometimes called “low translucency” or 3Y zirconia, has an exceptional track record for back teeth and patients who grind or clench. Some dentists use it on molars without any additional color modification, since teeth that far back are rarely visible when you smile.
A newer formulation, “high translucency” or cubic zirconia, lets more light through and looks more natural for front teeth. The tradeoff is lower strength. For patients who grind their teeth, color-modified standard zirconia is still the safer bet, even for anterior teeth. Three-unit bridges (a crown spanning a gap between teeth) also favor zirconia’s toughness over more translucent ceramics.
Lithium Disilicate (Glass Ceramic) Crowns
For single crowns on front teeth, lithium disilicate is widely considered the best balance of strength and natural appearance. Sold most commonly under the brand name IPS e.max, this glass ceramic lets light pass through in a way that closely mimics real tooth enamel. It can even mask a darkened or discolored tooth underneath, as long as the crown is at least 1 millimeter thick on all sides.
Lithium disilicate is also the material most commonly used for same-day crowns. Using a digital scanner and an in-office milling machine, your dentist can design and cut a crown from a ceramic block in a single appointment. A 10-year clinical study of 100 chairside-milled lithium disilicate crowns found strong long-term performance, supporting their use as a reliable single-visit option. For patients who don’t grind their teeth, this material handles everyday biting forces well on both front and back teeth. Heavy grinders, however, are better served by zirconia.
Resin Composite Crowns
Composite crowns are made from a plastic resin matrix filled with tiny glass or ceramic particles. The ratio of filler to resin determines both the look and the strength. Smaller filler particles produce a smoother, more polishable surface, which is why composites with fine particles are popular for front teeth. Larger particles increase resistance to chewing forces, making them better suited for back teeth. Newer nano-filled composites aim to deliver both qualities.
Composite is less expensive than ceramic or metal, but it wears down faster and is more prone to staining over time. It’s most commonly used as a longer-lasting temporary solution, an option for patients on a budget, or a conservative approach when preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible is the priority.
Temporary Crown Materials
If your permanent crown is being made in a dental lab, you’ll wear a temporary crown for one to three weeks. These are typically made from one of two materials: acrylic resin (PMMA) or bis-acrylic resin. Both are mixed chairside, shaped to fit your tooth, and hardened in minutes. They’re designed to protect the prepared tooth and maintain your bite while you wait, not to last. Temporary crowns are softer, more porous, and far less durable than any permanent option.
Which Material for Which Tooth
Back teeth absorb the highest chewing forces in your mouth. Molars benefit most from zirconia, metal alloys, or PFM crowns. For patients who clench or grind, standard high-strength zirconia is the most fracture-resistant ceramic available. Front teeth prioritize appearance, and lithium disilicate is the top choice for single crowns when grinding isn’t a factor. PFM remains a solid middle-ground option for any tooth, though its aesthetic limitations have made it less popular as all-ceramic materials have improved.
Cost, insurance coverage, and personal priorities all play into the decision. A gold crown on a back molar may outlast every other option, but many patients prefer a tooth-colored material even where no one will see it. Conversely, someone on a tight budget might choose a base metal or composite crown that works well enough for years, with plans to upgrade later. Your dentist can help match the material to your specific bite, tooth location, and goals.