Whether the tooth is badly damaged, weakened, broken, or has a big filling… To preserve it, dentists place a cap on the tooth to restore its original shape and strength.
But the first question that comes to mind when we are told to wear a dental cap is:
Zirconia cap or metal cap? Which one will last the longest?
But actually, both types are very strong and durable. But the choice depends on where the tooth is, how your bite is, your oral hygiene, and how much the tooth is damaged. Which of the two has the longest life? Let us simply understand this.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is an artificial cap worn over a damaged or weakened tooth. This gives the tooth its old strength back, covering the portion of the tooth that is visible on the outside.
When is a cap usually needed?
Generally, a tooth cap is needed after root canal treatment or when the tooth is broken or weakened.
And often when there is a large filling or significant tooth wear or during cosmetic or other dental treatments.
What is a Zirconia Crown?
Tooth caps are available in a variety of materials. Among them, the most discussed are zirconia and metal caps. Zirconia is a ceramic material used in modern dentistry that lasts long and stays strong. It is white in colour and can look very similar to your natural teeth. It is used for both front teeth and back teeth depending on the case.
The Benefits of Zirconia Caps:
- They are very strong and durable
- Zirconia crowns match the colour of your natural teeth
- They are metal-free
- They don’t fade away quickly
- They are suitable for front teeth and back teeth
- They give a natural look
- Best choice for those who don’t want their cap to stand out.
What is a Metal Crown?
Metal caps are made of dental alloys. These include a combination of gold or other metals. They have been used in dentistry for decades.
They are very useful for teeth that have to chew hard food.
Advantages of metal caps:
- Strength and durability
- Withstands hard chewing well
- No need to remove much natural tooth structure.
- They have a long history in dentistry.
Zirconia vs. Metal: Which has a longer life?
And here’s the real thing! This doesn’t mean one lasts longer, or that the other has a shorter life. With proper care and maintenance, both will last a long time. How long the cap will last depends not only on the material, but also on your oral hygiene, the condition of your bite and tooth, your food habits, and whether or not you have the habit of grinding your teeth at night.
1. Strength and durability
The force of a strong bite does not affect metal crowns. That’s why they are mainly suitable for molar teeth. However, even modern zirconia crowns do not lag behind metal crowns when it comes to strength. So, in terms of strength, there is not much of a difference between the two types of materials. Thus, it is important not just to find a strong material but to choose the material that will suit your teeth best.
2. Appearance
In this case, zirconia wins the game. The colour of the zirconia crown can be made to match the surrounding teeth. Meanwhile, metal crowns have a metallic colour that can be seen from the outside. That may not matter a lot concerning the back teeth, but it is certainly not the best solution for front/visible teeth.
3. The tooth placement
The next important factor to consider is which tooth needs to be crowned.
Front teeth: Best to use zirconia as the teeth are visible whenever a person smiles or speaks.
Back teeth: Since the back teeth perform most of the chewing, either zirconia or metal may be used, depending on the situation.
4. Your bite is very important
The dentist will look at how hard you chew food, or whether you have a habit of grinding your teeth during sleep. No matter how strong the material is, there can be a problem if the cap does not fit properly or if you have a habit of grinding your teeth. If necessary, the dentist will prescribe a night guard to wear at night.
Which cap is better for a root canal tooth?
A tooth that has had root canal treatment is naturally a little weaker. It is very important to protect it.
Both zirconia and metal can be used after a root canal. But it depends on:
- How much tooth is left
- Which tooth it is (front or back)
- How much pressure it takes while chewing
- Whether you want a natural look
After examining all these things, the dentist will advise the right cap.
How long do caps last?
Although a cap does not come with a specific expiry date, some caps may last up to ten, fifteen, or sometimes even twenty years. There are instances where caps can present some problems sooner than that.
Instead of worrying about how long your cap will last, it would be better to ask, “What should you do to prolong the life of your cap?”
To ensure that your cap remains for a long time, you need to do the following:
Brush regularly: Brush at least once a day, with fluoride toothpaste, and be sure to also be careful when brushing the area around the cap and the gum line.
Clean the gaps between your teeth: Make use of dental floss or any other interdental cleaning method recommended by your dentist.
Don’t use teeth as tools: Don’t pull open packets with capped teeth, cut threads, or bite hard objects.
Watch for teeth grinding: If you have the habit of grinding your teeth during sleep, tell your dentist and take appropriate advice.
Regular dental check-ups: Even if the cap looks good on the outside, there may be a problem with the tooth or gum underneath. See a dentist every 6 months.
Are caps for teeth forever?
Dental caps do not have any type of “lifetime” guarantee attached to them. Regardless of how they are made, caps will eventually start to experience wear and tear. Even the underlying tooth may decay if proper hygiene is not maintained. All caps do is protect the tooth but don’t guarantee the absence of any issue with that tooth.
Final verdict
If you’d prefer a durable cap, either zirconia or metal would be suitable.
If you want both durability and aesthetics, zirconia is your ideal option!
If the tooth is at the back where it isn’t visible, metal works.
But don’t just look at the material. The best thing to do is let your dentist look at the condition of your teeth, your bite, and the health of your gums before deciding. For those who want to wear caps or bridges, Toot Dental the best dental clinic near me offers personalised dental care tailored to your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Zirconia & Metal Crowns
They are both very strong. The dentist will decide what to use depending on the condition of your tooth.
Metal was used more for back teeth than front teeth. But now zirconia is also becoming very well suited to back teeth.
Metal was used more for back teeth than front teeth. But now zirconia is also becoming very well suited to back teeth.
The zirconia cap is the same colour as your own teeth, so it looks very natural.
There is no specific time. With proper care and maintenance, it will last a long time.
