Crown Material Comparison Guide: Pros and Cons of Metal Crowns, Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal, Zirconia and Glass Ceramic

Crown materials are broadly divided into metal crowns made only of metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns with porcelain over a metal framework, and full porcelain crowns that use only ceramic with no metal. The suitable material differs with whether it is a front tooth or a molar, chewing force and grinding habits, aesthetic demands and budget. In Korea, a crown placed on a natural tooth is uninsured whichever material is used.

Published 2026-11-08 · Updated 2026-11-08 · DentalStatics editorial team

Key facts

Full porcelain crown	A crown made only of reinforced ceramic with no metal (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) National Health Information Portal)
Zirconia characteristics	Strong enough for molars and bridges, but lacking translucency (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) National Health Information Portal)
Tooth reduction for ceramic crowns	Slightly more tooth is removed than for metal prostheses to secure strength (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) National Health Information Portal)
Compared with porcelain-fused-to-metal	Full porcelain crowns do not cause gum discoloration or a dark line at the gum margin (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) National Health Information Portal)
Insured implant prosthesis for ages 65+	Zirconia materials were also decided to be covered in addition to base-metal porcelain crowns (December 2024) (source: Ministry of Health and Welfare (보건복지부))

What types of crown materials are there?

Crown materials are easy to understand when grouped by how much metal they use. The more metal, the better they hold up even when thin; the more ceramic, the closer they are to natural tooth color.

Even materials with the same name differ slightly in strength and translucency because composition and processing vary by product. At a consultation, it helps to hear not only the material name but also why that material is recommended for which tooth.

Metal crown: a crown made only of base metal or gold alloy
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM): a crown with tooth-colored porcelain over a metal framework
Zirconia: a full porcelain crown made of high-strength ceramic
Glass ceramics such as lithium disilicate: full porcelain crowns with high translucency

How do metal crowns and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns differ?

A metal crown differs in color from the tooth and is rarely used where it shows when you smile, but it can be made thin, so less tooth is removed. The National Health Information Portal explains that restorations made of gold are not corroded by saliva and do not break easily under chewing force.

The porcelain-fused-to-metal crown is a long-used approach that aims to get both the strength of metal and the color of porcelain. However, a drawback compared with full porcelain crowns is that when the gums recede, the metal rim at the margin can show through as a dark line or make the gums look dark.

How do you choose between zirconia and glass ceramic?

According to KDCA materials, zirconia is strong enough to treat molars and bridges but lacks translucency, so it is hard to call it a fully aesthetic material. Conversely, highly translucent ceramics tend to be less strong, so ceramic crowns must balance strength against translucency.

Full porcelain crowns have the advantages that bacteria adhere to them less easily, so they are gentler on the gums, and that they suit digital fabrication. On the other hand, it is also noted that more tooth must be removed than for metal prostheses, that they are hard to make if the tooth is short, and that low cement adhesion may cause them to come off.

What should you consider when choosing a material?

The National Health Information Portal advises not choosing a crown material on price alone but discussing it with the dentist, taking into account the patient's situation, tooth position, cosmetic demands and budget. For front teeth, color and translucency come first; for molars, chewing force and the opposing teeth.

If you grind or clench your teeth in your sleep, the risk of breakage rises, so discuss a protective device along with the material choice. For insured implants for ages 65 and over, the prosthetic materials recognized for coverage are fixed, so if you want a different material, check before the procedure whether coverage is maintained.

Does care differ by material?

Basic care is the same. The crown itself does not decay, but cavities can form in the natural tooth at the margin, so whichever material is used, cleaning the margin carefully and having regular checkups determine lifespan. The National Health Information Portal also recommends proper tooth brushing and regular scaling after full porcelain crown treatment.

Ceramic crowns have smooth surfaces and tend not to absorb food pigments easily, but they can break if you bite something hard, so managing habits is important. Metal crowns rarely break, but at checkups the wear on the opposing natural teeth or the prosthesis on the other side is also checked. While wearing a temporary crown, avoid sticky foods regardless of material.

Common myths and facts

Myth: The more expensive the crown material, the longer it always lasts.

The National Health Information Portal explains that an expensive material is not necessarily a good one. Crown lifespan depends more on the condition of the tooth beneath, cleanliness at the margin and chewing habits than on the material.

Myth: Ceramic crowns require less tooth removal than metal crowns.

Full porcelain crowns remove slightly more tooth than metal prostheses to secure strength. If the tooth is short, making a ceramic crown may even be difficult.

Myth: After age 65, crowns on natural teeth are also covered by insurance.

Benefits for ages 65 and over are limited to dentures and implants. A crown on a natural tooth is uninsured regardless of material or age.

Frequently asked questions

What materials are commonly used for front tooth crowns?

Front teeth show when you smile, so full porcelain crowns, whose color and translucency are close to natural teeth, are often considered. However, depending on grinding habits or the bite, strength sometimes has to take priority, so it is decided after an examination.

Can a zirconia crown break too?

Zirconia is relatively strong, but biting hard food forcefully or severe grinding can fracture the crown or the tooth beneath it. It is best not to bite hard things such as ice, bones or nut shells on the crown.

Will my gums look dark if I get a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown?

At first the margin may be hidden inside the gum, but as the gum recedes over time the metal rim can show through as a dark line. For a highly visible place such as a front tooth, it is a good idea to ask about this at the material consultation.

Can I choose zirconia in insured implants for ages 65 and over?

At the Health Insurance Policy Deliberation Committee in December 2024, the Ministry of Health and Welfare decided to cover zirconia prosthetic materials in addition to existing base-metal porcelain crowns. How it is applied may differ by clinic, so check which materials are covered before registering.

How much does price differ by crown material?

Crowns are uninsured, so prices differ by material and dental clinic, and there is no officially set amount. You can compare prosthesis prices at local clinics in the uninsured medical fee information on the HIRA website or the Geongang-eum app.

References

Korean version →