Dental crowns are caps that are designed in the shape of the tooth and are placed over the damaged tooth. The teeth may get naturally damaged over time or it may happen for a variety of other reasons, such as tooth decay, injuries, or infection. The teeth can lose their natural shape, size, or appearance. Placing a dental crown is a restorative procedure as the crown aims to restore the shape, size, strength, and appearance of the tooth. The tooth crown is fixed into place by cementing it on the tooth. It usually covers all the visible part of the tooth. Other types of crowns, known as onlay or 3/4 crown, that only cover three-fourths of the teeth are also available.
Dental crowns can be of multiple types. The dentist will recommend the most suitable type of crown for the patient based on the condition of their teeth and personal preference. There are some factors that must be considered while choosing a crown, such as the cost, strength, and durability of a particular crown. Different types of dental crown based on the material they are made from are:
Porcelain: These prove a natural look of the teeth as the porcelain matches the color of the teeth.  They are not as strong as metal crowns. The disadvantage with porcelain crowns is that they may last a long time, but have to be well taken care of, and are costlier than metal crowns.
Porcelain Fused-to-Metal Crowns (PFM): These are also widely used teeth crowns. The porcelain provides an aesthetically pleasing look and the metal part provides durability. But they may cause a grey line at the gumline.
Zirconia: These are comparatively newer types but have become widely popular. High translucent zirconia and layered zirconia crowns provide aesthetics and are strong as well as durable. They may cause the other teeth that they bite down on wear out easily.
Metal: Dental crowns made of metal are less commonly used. Although they are durable and strong, people still have concerns about aesthetics.