When your dentist recommends a crown, the next question is usually: what kind? There are several materials to choose from, and each has trade-offs in strength, appearance, and suitability for different teeth.
This guide covers the main types of dental crowns available in Australia, what each does well, and how your clinician decides which material fits your situation.
What a dental crown does
A crown is a custom-made cap that fits over a damaged, weakened, or root-treated tooth. It restores shape, strength, and function. Crowns are also used on top of dental implants and as part of bridge restorations.
The material matters because different teeth face different demands. A front tooth needs to look natural under close scrutiny. A molar needs to survive years of heavy chewing force. Some teeth need both.
Porcelain (ceramic) crowns
Full porcelain crowns are made entirely from dental ceramic - no metal substructure. Common types include feldspathic porcelain and leucite-reinforced ceramics.
Strengths: Natural translucency and colour matching. Porcelain mimics the way light passes through real enamel, which makes these crowns difficult to distinguish from natural teeth. They are a strong option for front teeth and premolars where appearance matters.
Limitations: Traditional porcelain is not as fracture-resistant as zirconia or metal. On back teeth under heavy load, there is a higher risk of chipping over time. Patients who grind or clench may need a night guard to protect porcelain crowns.
Typical use: Front teeth, visible premolars, and cases where aesthetics are the top priority.
Lithium disilicate (e.max) crowns
Lithium disilicate is a type of glass ceramic that sits between traditional porcelain and zirconia in terms of strength. The most widely known brand is e.max.
Strengths: Excellent aesthetics with better fracture resistance than feldspathic porcelain. Can be milled chairside using CEREC same-day technology or fabricated by a lab. The material bonds well to tooth structure, which can help reinforce what remains of the natural tooth.
Limitations: Not as strong as monolithic zirconia for high-load posterior teeth. May not be suitable for patients with heavy bruxism.
Typical use: Front teeth, premolars, and some molars where both aesthetics and moderate strength are needed.
Zirconia crowns
Zirconia is a crystalline material with high flexural strength. Crowns can be monolithic (milled from a single block) or layered (zirconia core with porcelain overlay for aesthetics).
Strengths: Among the strongest crown materials available. Monolithic zirconia resists fracture and wear very well, making it suitable for molars and patients who grind. Modern zirconia can also be colour-matched effectively, though it may not replicate the translucency of porcelain as closely on front teeth.
Limitations: Monolithic zirconia can look slightly more opaque than porcelain or e.max, particularly in anterior positions. Layered zirconia improves aesthetics but the porcelain overlay can chip, similar to PFM crowns.
Typical use: Back teeth, high-load areas, bruxism patients, and implant-supported restorations.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns
PFM crowns have a metal substructure (usually a base-metal or noble-metal alloy) covered by a layer of porcelain. They were the standard for decades.
Strengths: Good strength from the metal core. Reasonable aesthetics from the porcelain overlay. Long track record - many dentists and technicians have extensive experience with PFMs.
Limitations: A dark line can appear at the gum margin over time as gums recede, exposing the metal edge. The metal substructure blocks light, so PFMs lack the translucency of all-ceramic options. They are being gradually replaced by zirconia and lithium disilicate in many practices.
Typical use: Less common in cosmetic zones today, but still used in some posterior applications or where cost is a priority.
Gold and metal alloy crowns
Full gold or metal alloy crowns are made entirely from metal - no porcelain layer.
Strengths: Exceptional durability. Gold is gentle on opposing teeth (it wears at a similar rate to natural enamel). Metal crowns require less tooth reduction than ceramic alternatives, preserving more natural tooth structure. They rarely fracture.
Limitations: Appearance. Gold and metal crowns are visible, which limits their use to back teeth where aesthetics are not a concern. Not every patient wants visible metal in their mouth, even on molars.
Typical use: Second molars, patients who prioritise longevity over appearance, and cases where minimal tooth reduction is important.
How your dentist chooses the right material
The material recommendation depends on several factors:
- Tooth position. Front teeth typically call for porcelain or e.max. Molars may benefit from zirconia or metal.
- Remaining tooth structure. How much healthy tooth is left affects which materials can be bonded effectively.
- Bite forces. Patients who grind or clench need harder, more fracture-resistant materials.
- Aesthetic demands. A crown on a central incisor needs to match adjacent teeth precisely. A crown on an upper second molar does not.
- Opposing teeth. The material of the tooth biting against the crown matters. Some combinations wear better than others.
- Budget. Material costs vary. Your clinician can discuss options that balance performance and cost.
At Ivy Dental, we assess all of these factors before recommending a material. We will not default to one type for every case.
Same-day crowns at Ivy Dental
For suitable cases, Ivy Dental offers same-day CEREC crowns at our Everton Park and Nundah locations. The tooth is digitally scanned, the crown is designed on screen, and it is milled from a ceramic block in the practice. One appointment, no temporary crown, no waiting.
Same-day crowns use lithium disilicate or zirconia blocks. Not every case suits same-day fabrication - complex aesthetic cases on front teeth may still benefit from lab fabrication with a skilled ceramist. Your clinician will advise which approach fits your tooth.
Read our detailed comparison of same-day vs lab-made crowns for more on how to decide.
Crown cost ranges in Brisbane
Crown costs in Brisbane typically start from $1,600 and may range up to $2,200 or more depending on material, complexity, and whether same-day or lab fabrication is used.
Health fund rebates vary by your level of cover. Payment plans may be available to approved applicants if cost is a concern.
For a detailed breakdown of what affects crown pricing, see our dental crown cost guide.
Book a crown consultation at Ivy Dental →
What affects how long a crown lasts
With proper care, many crowns last 10 to 20 years or longer. Longevity depends on:
- The material chosen and the quality of fabrication
- Your oral hygiene - crowns can still develop decay at the margin where they meet the natural tooth
- Whether you grind or clench (and whether you wear a night guard)
- Regular six-monthly reviews, which allow your dentist to catch problems early
No crown is permanent. But a well-made crown on a well-maintained tooth can serve you for a very long time.
Next step
If you need a crown and want to understand which material suits your tooth, book a consultation at Ivy Dental. We will assess the tooth, explain your options clearly, and give you a quote before any work begins.
Book a crown consultation at Ivy Dental →, or call (07) 3266 7120.
