How to decide what kind of dental alloy should be used to make your crown.

If the dental crown being made for your tooth includes a metallic component, your dentist will need to select an appropriate type of metal for its construction.

What options exist?

As opposed to pure metals, dental crowns are fabricated using specialized dental alloys, which are categorized according to their composition: high noble (precious), noble (semi-precious), and non-noble (base, non-precious).

How is a metal chosen?

The choice of alloy should be based on several factors, including the type of crown (all-metal vs. porcelain-fused-to-metal), clinical considerations, aesthetic preferences, how optimal the alloy is for the crown fabrication process, and, in some cases, your personal preferences or insurance coverage limitations.

Each alloy category offers its own set of advantages and drawbacks for a restoration. This page will guide you through a discussion of these issues, providing the insights you need to make the best alloy choice for your dental crown.

What kinds of dental crowns contain metal?

• Obviously, All-Metal crowns do. -  Examples include the classic gold dental crown, as well as, at the other end of the dental alloy spectrum, the non-precious all-metal crown.
• Although the visible portion of a Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal crown (PFM) is covered in porcelain, it still contains a metallic component. These crowns are also referred to as PFG and PTM restorations.

What are the dental alloy options for crown fabrication?

a) Categories of dental alloys.

The alloy options for dental crown fabrication fall into three categories: high noble (precious), noble (semi-precious), and non-noble (non-precious). (We explain the specifications of each category below.)

As the names suggest, this classification system is based on the alloy’s composition—both the kinds of metals it contains and their respective percentages.

Of course, with this information the question arises: why does the type of alloy used for a crown matter?

b) Which alloy is chosen is important because each kind has different physical properties.

Although they may seem similar to a layperson, each alloy’s composition gives it unique physical properties, which, in turn, create specific advantages and disadvantages for the crowns made from it.

These differences involve issues that are:

• Important to you. – An obvious example is the metal’s color. Precious, semi precious, and even non precious alloys can have either a “yellow” (golden) or “white” (siver) coloration. Also, issues like metal allergies can be important too.
• Important for your crown’s fabrication and success. – Factors like how easy the metal is to work with, or how well porcelain bonds with it, can affect your crown’s fit and longevity.
• Financial in nature. – Not only will the type of alloy that’s chosen affect the crown’s cost (for example the cost difference between precious vs. non precious metals) but it may even affect the restoration’s level of insurance coverage.

The remainder of this page explains each of the above considerations in greater detail. However, and as you’ll find out below, if cost is not a factor then the alloy having the highest precious metal content typically makes the best choice.

Dental alloys – What you need to know when choosing one for your crown.

Why pure metals are never used.

Contrary to what you may have thought, all dental crowns that have a metal component are fabricated using specifically formulated dental alloys. No pure metals are ever used for crown fabrication, not even gold.

That’s because for this kind of restoration, the physical properties of alloys are far superior to pure metals. Here are some examples how:

• Pure gold (24K) is too soft to give a crown good wear characteristics. (Like the wear and tear caused by the teeth that chew against it.)
• A crown made out of pure gold would tend to deform (distort in shape) as it’s perpetually subjected to chewing forces.
• As opposed to pure gold, base (non precious) metals included in alloy formulations form oxides that enhance metal-to-porcelain bond strength which, of course, is of utmost importance for porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.

▲ Section references – Knosp

Dental alloy classifications – High noble (precious), Noble (semi precious), Non-noble (non precious).

In 1984, the American Dental Association (ADA) set up a three-tiered classification system for dental alloys, based on the types and percentages of metals used in their formulation.

(Since the ADA is also the organization that names and assigns insurance code numbers to dental procedures, these same alloy categories may show on your bill or insurance paperwork. For example: “D2750 crown – porcelain fused to high-noble metal.”)

1) High noble alloys (Precious metal)

This group has a composition that is over 60% noble metal, of which more than 40% must be gold. The elements gold, palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium are categorized as noble metals.

Examples of high noble dental alloys.

• Product: JRVT  /  Alloy Color: Yellow  /  Composition: 77% Gold, 13% Silver, 8.5% Copper, 1.0% Palladium, Less than 1% Indium, Iridium, Zinc
• Product: JIV-PF  /  Alloy Color: Yellow  /  Composition: 72.5% Gold, 13.5% Copper, 10.2% Silver, 2.8% Platinum, Less than 1% Indium, Iridium and Zinc.
• Product: Noble-Cast 67  /  Alloy Color: Yellow  /  Composition: 64.0% Gold, 23.4% Silver, 3.0% Palladium, 0.1% Platinum
• Product: Encore (White High Noble)  /  Alloy Color: Silver (white)  /  Composition: 48% Gold, 40% Palladium, 4.3% Zinc, 3.9% Tin, 3.75% Indium, 0.05% Rhenium

2) Noble alloys (semi precious metal)

These alloys have at least 25% noble metal content.

Examples of noble dental alloys.

• Product: Argenco 20  /  Alloy Color: Yellow  /  Composition: 20% Gold, 20% Palladium, 40% Silver, 18% Indium, 2% Zinc, Less than 1% Iridium.
• Product: Argelite SR+  /  Alloy Color: Silver (white)  /  Composition: 79% Palladium, 8.4% Tin, 5.0% Cobalt, 5.0% Gallium, 2.0% Gold, 0.6% Ruthenium

3) Non-noble (non precious metal)

These alloys are also referred to as base metals. Their noble metal content is less than 25% (they may have none). They often contain large percentages of nickel, cobalt, chromium, or beryllium.

Examples of non-precious (base) dental alloys.

• Product: Argeloy N.P. Supreme  /  Alloy Color: Silver (white)  /  Composition: 61% Cobalt, 27% Chromium, 6% Molybdenum, 5% Tungsten, 1% Silicon, Less than 1% Manganese, Iron, Carbon
• Product: Argeloy N.P.  /  Alloy Color: Silver (white)  /  Composition: 54.0% Nickel, 22.0% Chromium, 9.0% Molybdenum, 4.0% Iron, 4.0% Niobium, 4.0% Tantalum, 3.0 % Trace elements.
• Product: AalbaDent NPG  /  Alloy Color: Yellow  /  Composition: 80.7% Copper, 7.8% Aluminum, 4.3% Nickel, Trace percentages of : Manganese, Iron, Zinc.

▲ Section references – Anusavice
Alloy compositions are taken from manufacturers’ information.

Why does it matter which alloy is used to make your crown?

There are several reasons why it’s important. Some of them affect you directly. Others will be more of a concern to your dentist, or the dental laboratory that makes your crown.

a) Costs – High noble metal alloys are more expensive.

Some of the predominant noble metals contained in dental alloys are gold, platinum, and palladium. And just as you’d expect, the greater the percentage of these precious metals that an alloy contains, the more expensive it will be.

• With restorations where the actual amount (weight) of metal they contain is relatively small, the price difference between using a high-noble (precious) or base-metal (non precious) alloy might be very minor.

  (As examples, the metal component of a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown for a lower incisor or upper lateral incisor might be relatively minimal.)

• But in the case where an all-metal restoration is made for a large tooth (like a molar, and especially one that has lost a lot of tooth structure), the cost difference between having a non precious metal crown made and a gold one might be significant enough to affect your decision.

(Here’s more information about the cost for different kinds of dental crowns Crown fees..)

b) Dental plan and insurance policy limitations.

If there’s a third party involved in paying a part of your bill, you might check to see if there are any limitations as to the type of metal that can be used for crowns.

Possible restrictions.

The policy might state that they do not cover the cost of high noble alloys. Or the level of coverage (in terms of your out-of-pocket expenses) might vary according to which type of metal is used.

A dental policy or plan that doesn’t provide coverage for precious metal crowns would be considered limited and disappointing but the use of a semi precious alloy can make a reasonable alternative. Serviceable crowns can be made using non precious metal alloys too. But a policy that limits you to just this choice alone should be considered subpar.

(Here’s more information about insurance coverage for dental crowns. When are they covered? | Restrictions)

This gold crown has a yellow color.

c) Color – Dental alloys can be white or yellow.

Considerations.

• Some dentists feel that using a yellow-colored alloy with PFM crowns gives the restoration’s porcelain a warmer, more natural look.
• If you’re having an all-metal crown placed, you may have a big preference as to its color (deep yellow, yellow, pale yellow, or white).

▲ Section references – Knosp

d) Some people have metal allergies.

Some of the metals included in the formulation of dental alloys used for crown fabrication have been shown to trigger an allergic reaction in some patients. Nickel, chromium, palladium, and cobalt have all been implicated.

• It’s estimated that 10 to 20% of females have an allergic response to nickel. The incidence rate for men is lower, possibly as low as 5%.
• Sensitivity to palladium generally runs about 1/3rd that of nickel. But those who are are almost always allergic to nickel too. (We’ve found conflicting sources as to whether the reverse is true.)
• The allergic response experienced is typically benign. But its associated itching can affect the person’s quality of life. Besides just the mouth, other parts of the person’s body may be affected too.
• In cases where a question about metal sensitivity exists, prior to restoration construction a dermatological patch test can be used to evaluate the patient’s status.

▲ Section references – Sakaguchi, Zhang, Knosp

Alloy alternatives do exist.

If the metal that triggers the response can be identified, an alternative alloy can usually be found.

• Base (non noble/non precious) alloys, as opposed to noble or high-noble ones, are typically associated with a larger release of nickel, chromium, and cobalt ions, and thus their use may be indicated.
• While palladium is found in many high-noble formulations, some palladium-free products do exist (see table above). Additionally, some of these formulations don’t contain any of the other metals commonly associated with allergies either.

e) The physical properties of the alloy are an important consideration.

Some dentists and dental laboratories have a set opinion about which kinds of dental alloys they will even consider working with. A part of this reasoning may be because their primary goal is simply getting the job done right, the first time.

They know that any difficulties or problems that crop up will just end up costing them money. So, if choosing a certain type of alloy makes getting a positive result more likely, then that’s the one they’ll want to work with.

The advantages of precious dental alloys.

High noble alloys constitute the “gold standard” of dental metals. (All others are compared to them.) And dentists and dental technicians generally much prefer working with them, especially those that have a high gold content, because:

A porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crown.

• They are the easiest to cast (the process by which metal crowns are made) and polish.
• Restorations made using high-nobles are known for their accurate fit on their tooth. But also, this grade of alloy is relatively malleable so the fit of the restoration can be adjusted if needed.
• High noble alloys generally offer the most predictable bond with porcelain, a factor that can influence how long a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown will last Crown longevity studies..
• The noble metals these alloys contain give them superior corrosion resistance.

▲ Section references – Anusavice, Sakaguchi

Which type of alloy should you choose for your dental crown?

Based on our discussion above and per your dentist’s counsel:

• If cost is not a factor, opting for a high noble dental alloy (precious metal alloy) typically makes the best choice. (Almost certainly, this is the option your dentist would choose for their mother.)
• If cost is your primary determinant, a non-precious alloy would be your least expensive option.

Comments.

This section contains comments submitted in previous years. Many have been edited so to limit their scope to subjects discussed on this page.