Choosing a dental crown in Costa Rica

If you’ve just had a root canal, the next step is to choose the best material for crown.

The beauty of Costa Rica is that you’ll pay a lot less for both the root canal surgery and crown than you would for just the crown itself in the U.S. And you can trust the level of professionalism and advice you receive from the leading dental clinics in Costa Rica, which have many years of experience managing the needs of dental tourism patients from the United States and Canada.

As everyone knows, an informed consumer is the best consumer, so here’s a short primer on the pros and cons of various crown materials. Your main choices are between porcelain, zirconia, metal, or a porcelain fused to metal, known as a PFM.

Gold crowns

Going with gold doesn’t mean your crown will be pure gold. The gold is usually combined with other metals for greater strength and resilience. The upside of a metal crown is its durability: if properly taken care of through regular cleaning and brushing, it could last you a lifetime!

The downside of a metal crown is that you may not like the look of metal in your mouth. Most patients today don’t choose metal crowns because the metal is unattractive and is a noticeably different color than the rest of their teeth. If that’s how you feel, ask your Costa Rica dentist for other options.

Zirconia crowns

Zirconia crowns are known for durability. Dental crowns made of zirconia are extraordinary strong and can withstand most chewing and biting activities. Zirconia crowns are very natural looking. It is hard to differentiate a zirconia crown from natural teeth. Due to their biocompatible structure, zirconia crowns are hypoallergenic and rarely provoke allergic reactions. Zirconia crowns are durable and strong, requiring your dentist to remove less of your original tooth structure to accommodate the crown.

Zirconia crowns do have some disadvantages. Although a zirconia crown is very durable, if there is tooth decay underneath, the only possible way to know is to remove the crown. This is a considerable issue that should be considered in the decision-making process. While zirconia crowns are very strong, the extra strength of zirconia crowns may have an abrasive effect and may negatively impact the tooth root and other neighboring teeth.

Porcelain crowns

What are the main benefits of porcelain crowns?

Quick & Durable: Porcelain crowns can be installed quickly and easily and may last for 15 or more years. Porcelain crowns can be placed in 1-3 visits depending on the quality of crowns and the time needed for impressions and fabrication. Good clinics take their time to give patients the best results.

Natural looking: Porcelain crowns are durable and very natural looking. Porcelain is semi-translucent and looks and feels the most like real teeth. Many patients choose porcelain crowns because they are indistinguishable from real teeth. One of the biggest advantages of porcelain is that it can match the color, shape and texture of your teeth. No one will ever know you have a crown.

Stain Resistant & Low maintenance: Since porcelain is stain-resistant, no special maintenance is needed with porcelain crowns. Good brushing and flossing habits and regular visits to the dentist will keep your dental crown looking new.

Porcelain fused to metal crowns: PFM

When you want the durability of a metal crown and the aesthetic appeal and natural appearance of a porcelain crown, your best option may be a porcelain fused to metal or PFM crown.

What are the benefits of PFM crowns?

Durability: PFM crowns are strong and durable thanks to their metal substructure. With proper brushing and flossing and regular visits to the dentist, PFM crowns can last for many years.

Better Fit: The metal structure provides a better fit than porcelain or zirconia crowns. This is one of the most common reasons for choosing a PFM crown.

The only real drawback to a PFM crown is that over time, and due to gum recession, a dark line may appear where the crown meets the tooth. In order to place PFM crown, the dentist will remove a larger portion of the tooth than is needed with zirconia crowns. However, this is not generally a concern.

Dental crowns: The bottom line

Most of these options will cost almost the same in Costa Rica. Porcelain and zirconia crowns look the best, but PFM’s are remarkably natural looking as well. If you are convinced that a pure porcelain or zirconia crown is best for you, you should discuss with your dentist. Most patients choose the best of both worlds and opt for a PFM crown, combining the benefits of metal and porcelain. There are benefits and disadvantages to each option. Patients should discuss all options with their dental care provider.

Goodness Dental in Costa Rica offers all three types of crowns with remarkable success and long-term results. Call Goodness Dental toll-free at 866-406-2744 to learn more about which type of dental crown may be the best for you.

This story was sponsored by Goodness Dental.