I’m a big believer in natural medical care, including dental. For the first time in my life I’m having some problems with my teeth. I had to get a filling. It wasn’t too hard to find a metal-free filling. However, I’m trying to find a crown for a back tooth. My dentist insists I need a metal-based crown. I really don’t want that. Do I have an option?

Ellen

Dear Ellen,

It used to be that you couldn’t get metal-free anything. Then, we finally got composite fillings. You’d think dentists would have jumped on these quickly and rushed to learn the technique. Fillings without mercury. That seems like a no-brainer. Yet, there are still dentists who insist on amalgam fillings. Don’t ask me why.

Fortunately, things are changing. These days you can get metal-free dental care for just about any procedure if you go to the right dentist.

In your place, I’d do an internet search for a metal-free dentist. There are a lot of options for metal-free crowns. On front teeth, you can just get an all-porcelain crown. These look more natural and will never develop a gray line at the gumline the way metal-based crowns will.

However, all-porcelain crowns aren’t strong enough for back teeth, which is likely why your dentist is saying no. However, there are options now.

For something strong, I would recommend you get a zirconia crown. These hold up very well against biting forces. In fact, they’re nick-named ceramic steel. They’ll do just fine on a back tooth.

Metal-free Still Doesn’t Whiten

Just be aware, just like any dental work, the color you get them when you have them made is permanent. While it’s very stain resistant, teeth whitening will not work on it. Even professional whitening only works on natural tooth structure.

If you plan on bleaching your teeth at any point, you’ll want to do it before you get your crown made.

I hope this helps.
This blog is brought to you by Decatur Dentists Drs. Drake and Wallace.