Permanent ceramic restorations can be made from stainless steel, all metal (such as gold or another alloy), porcelain-fused-to-metal, all resin, or all ceramic.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental ceramic restorations can be color matched to your adjacent teeth (unlike the metallic dental ceramic restorations). However, more wearing to the opposing teeth occurs with this dental ceramic restoration type compared with metal or resin crowns. The dental ceramic restoration porcelain portion can also chip or break off. Next to all-ceramic crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns look most like normal teeth. However, sometimes the metal underlying the dental ceramic restoration’s porcelain can show through as a dark line, especially at the gum line and even more so if your gums recede. These dental ceramic restoration can be a good choice for front or back teeth.

All-resin dental ceramic restorations are less expensive than other crown types. However, they wear down over time and are more prone to fractures than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.

All-ceramic or all-porcelain dental ceramic restorations provide better natural color match than any other crown type. However, they are not as strong as porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns and they wear down opposing teeth a little more than metal or resin crowns. All-ceramic restorations are a good choice for front teeth.

Temporary dental ceramic restorations are made in your dentist’s office, whereas permanent dental ceramic restorations are made in a dental laboratory. Temporary dental ceramic restorations are used as a temporary restoration until a permanent dental ceramic restoration is constructed by a lab.

A dental ceramic restoration is digitally constructed either in an office that has the software and hardware to produce them or in a dental lab. Dental offices that have the software and hardware have the ability to produce a dental ceramic restoration in one visit with no need for a temporary. These dental ceramic restorations require no impression.