Getting a Dental Crown When You Have a Metal Allergy

Silver amalgam dental crowns are among the most well-known dental restorations. However, there are other crown options. A general dentist can restore damaged, decayed teeth in patients with metal allergies through a variety of non-metal dental crowns.

Known metal allergies and dental crowns

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, nickel allergies are the most common metal allergies in the United States. Those with a nickel allergy develop a skin rash following exposure to this common, otherwise harmless metal. Medically, this allergic reaction is known as contact dermatitis. It is the same skin reaction that results from exposure to poison ivy.

Always tell the general dentist about any known nickel or metal allergies. No metal crown is 100% one type of metal. For example, silver crowns are not pure silver. Rather, metal crowns are an amalgamation of several metal types, and thus, many contain some nickel.

Unknown but suspected metal allergies

Patients who suspect they may have a metal allergy should inform the dentist before receiving a dental crown. Doing so can prevent the patient from experiencing an uncomfortable allergic reaction. Common crown allergy symptoms include but are not limited to:

• Inflamed, itching, or burning gums
• Contact dermatitis in and around the mouth
• Swollen lymph nodes

There is no need to panic if these symptoms arise, however. A general dentist can replace the metal crown with a non-metal one. Informing the dentist of a suspected metal allergy ahead of time can simply prevent the need for this.

Non-metal dental crowns

Non-metal dental crowns include porcelain, pressed ceramic, and all-resin crowns. Not only are all of these crowns completely free of metal, but they also have a natural tooth appearance. General dentists design them to match the color and opacity of the surrounding teeth. Take a better look at these options below.

Porcelain dental crowns

Porcelain, or all-ceramic, crowns are a popular choice for dental crowns because they closely match the appearance of natural teeth. They are also strong enough to restore bite force and chewing ability. Note that porcelain crowns can contain various materials, the most common being zirconium dioxide.

Pressed ceramic dental crowns

Pressed ceramic crowns are a viable alternative to porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns, making them effective premolar and molar restorations. With PFM crowns, the hard metal center is coated in porcelain, delivering a highly durable but natural-looking restoration. Pressed ceramic crowns have a similar design for the same reason — the only difference is that they have a durable core made of ceramic layers instead of metal.

All-resin dental crowns

All-resin crowns consist of composite resin, the same non-metal material used to fill cavities. Thus, they are typically only used as temporary crowns. Still, with proper care, they can last up to five years.