There are several different types of dental crowns available including all-metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-resin, and all-ceramic. While all-metal crowns are strong, they are dark and noticeable and only practical for back molars.

When a dental crown is needed for a front tooth, porcelain (or another ceramic material) is now most commonly used. Porcelain-fused metal crowns are the most obvious of crowns. They have an artificial appearance of opacity and often develop a black line at the gum line over time. This type of crown is easier to place than extra-strength porcelain or bonded all-porcelain crowns, so they are most often used by general dentists who are not as concerned with aesthetics.

Extra strength porcelain crowns are more aesthetically pleasing and require no additional dental training, so general dentists can also this option when placing a crown on a tooth. While these crowns do not develop a distinct black line at the gumline, there are still complications. Instead of having an opaque core, there is an obvious, opaque white core, making these crowns not ideal for front teeth.

Bonded all-porcelain crowns are the ideal crown for a front tooth. While porcelain alone is not a very strong material, when bonded to a natural tooth it becomes extremely durable. Dentists need to be trained to perform this procedure, so be sure to research the dentist that will be doing your cosmetic dentistry.