Types of Dental Crowns: Which One Is Right for You?
So, your dentist says you need a crown. But when you start researching, you’re suddenly swimming in a sea of terms: PFM, zirconia, porcelain, porcelain-zirconia. Isn’t a crown just a crown?
At Affinity Dental Clinics, we know that choosing the right crown can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. With the right guidance, your crown can do more than restore a tooth—it can enhance your smile, protect your bite, and feel as natural as the tooth it replaces.
Here’s a closer look at the most common long-term, aesthetic crown options we offer—and why material matters more than you might think.
Not All Crowns Are Created Equal
So, your dentist says you need a crown. But when you start researching, you’re suddenly swimming in a sea of terms: PFM, zirconia, porcelain, porcelain-zirconia. Isn’t a crown just a crown?
At Affinity Dental Clinics, we know that choosing the right crown can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. With the right guidance, your crown can do more than restore a tooth—it can enhance your smile, protect your bite, and feel as natural as the tooth it replaces.
Here’s a closer look at the most common long-term, aesthetic crown options we offer—and why material matters more than you might think.
1. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM)
A classic option still widely used today, PFM crowns feature a metal base with a layer of tooth-colored porcelain fused on top.
- Strength: Durable and time-tested
- Look: Decent aesthetics, though may show a gray line near the gum over time
- Best For: Molars, budget-conscious posterior restorations
PFM crowns remain a reliable choice for balancing strength and cost, especially when placed in less visible areas. At Affinity, we still use PFM in appropriate cases—but with full transparency about aesthetic limitations.
2. Full Porcelain Crowns
Crafted entirely from ceramic materials like E.max or feldspathic porcelain, these crowns are a top choice for patients who value natural beauty.
- Strength: Moderate; best for front teeth
- Look: Highly translucent and lifelike
- Best For: Anterior teeth, veneers, smile makeovers
Full porcelain crowns reflect light like real enamel and are ideal for cosmetic zones where precision and beauty matter most.
3. Full Contour Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia crowns are milled from a single block of incredibly strong ceramic. While they were once considered too opaque for visible areas, new translucent zirconia materials now offer a better balance.
- Strength: Extremely high (900–1,200 MPa)
- Look: Moderately aesthetic, improving with translucent formulations
- Best For: Molars, bruxers, implant crowns
These crowns are especially useful when strength is the priority, such as in back teeth or for patients who grind. At Affinity, we also offer translucent zirconia for visible zones that require more natural esthetics.
4. Porcelain-Fused-to-Zirconia
This crown combines a solid zirconia base with a hand-layered porcelain exterior. You get the strength of zirconia with the lifelike quality of porcelain.
- Strength: Excellent core strength (zirconia); porcelain is the aesthetic layer
- Look: Highly aesthetic, customized by ceramists
- Best For: Anterior crowns, implants, smile makeovers
Porcelain-fused-to-zirconia is one of the most elegant crown types available today. At Affinity, these crowns are customized in our in-house lab for precise fit, shade, and layering.
Crown Strength Comparison
| Crown Type | Flexural Strength | Clinical Strength Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal | 100–300 MPa (porcelain); metal core varies | Porcelain may chip; metal core provides strength |
| Full Porcelain (E.max) | ~400 MPa | Great for front teeth; avoid heavy bite zones |
| Full Contour Zirconia | 900–1,200 MPa | Excellent for bruxers and posterior teeth |
| Porcelain-Fused-to-Zirconia | 900–1,200 MPa (core); ~100–300 MPa (porcelain) | Balanced; risk of porcelain chipping under load |
Crown Aesthetic Comparison
| Crown Type | Translucency | Shade Match | Notes |
| Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal | Low–Moderate | Moderate | May appear dark at gum line over time |
| Full Porcelain (E.max) | High | Excellent | Best enamel mimic, highly lifelike |
| Full Contour Zirconia | Moderate (newer types) | Good | Durable; newer zirconia is more aesthetic |
| Porcelain-Fused-to-Zirconia | High | Excellent | Combines beauty and strength |
What We Recommend at Affinity Dental Clinics
There’s no one-size-fits-all crown. Every smile is different, and so is every treatment plan. At Affinity Dental Clinics, we select crown materials based on:
- The location of the tooth
- Your bite and habits
- Cosmetic expectations
- Your long-term goals
We’re proud to have an in-house dental laboratory that allows us to customize crowns to your unique case—down to the shape, shade, and layering of the porcelain. Whether you need strength, beauty, or both, we’ve got the right crown for you.
Need Help Choosing?
Book a consultation at any of our branches in Makati, BGC, Alabang, Ortigas, Parañaque, or Cebu. Our dentists will walk you through your options with full transparency and clinical integrity.
🦷 Creating Smiles. Changing Lives.
Trusted name in dental care since 2008.
