There are four types of dental crowns, each made a different way.
1. Metal crowns - are made from an alloy such as gold, palladium, nickel or chromium. They are strong enough to hold up to teeth grinding and biting and last the longest. Metal crowns cannot be color matched to teeth and are usually used on molars.
2. Resin dental crowns - are less expensive, but not as durable. They wear down faster and may not have a long life-span due to a tendency to fracture. Resin is the material most often used for a temporary crown.
3. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns - are stronger because of the metal base, but the porcelain can still chip. These crowns are natural looking and are often used on front teeth and bridges.
4. All-porcelain or all-ceramic dental crowns - can be color matched to the rest of your teeth, but they tend to wear down the opposing teeth faster than metal crowns. Your dentist may recommend them if you have a metal allergy.