CROWN

Gold vs Porcelain Crowns: What Is the Difference?

Name: Gold crowns vs. ceramic crowns: what is the difference?
Creator: Ilseop Ahn

Treated by Dr. Ilseop Ahn (board-certified periodontist and board-certified specialist in advanced general dentistry) · Reviewed by Dr. Ilseop AhnAbout the doctor →

Last reviewed October 29, 2026 · Dr. Ilseop Ahn (board-certified periodontist and board-certified specialist in advanced general dentistry)

At a glance

Good for: Teeth that are badly broken, cracked, or have had a root canal treatment
Treatment flow: Shaping the tooth and taking an impression → making the crown → fitting and bonding
Duration and limits: Usually two or more visits. We do not recommend it for teeth where an inlay is enough

Details

A crown covers a whole tooth that is badly broken, cracked, or has had a root canal treatment, to protect it from breaking. A gold crown fits well at the border and wears the opposing tooth less, but its color stands out. Tooth-colored crowns such as zirconia look natural, but each material differs in how it chips and wears. It usually takes two or more visits, and more if a root canal treatment is needed first. At Ceramic Dental Clinic, we do not recommend a crown for a tooth where an inlay is enough, and when a crown is needed, we choose the material with you based on its position, chewing force, and the condition of the gums.

01^°

We show whether a crown was really needed and which material was used

A molar with a root canal treatment, a cracked molar, and an old crown with an open border each need a crown for different reasons. The preparation and material also differed depending on the reason.

CASE01

A molar after root canal treatment

Core build-up + zirconia crown · covering the weakened tooth so it does not split under chewing force

Periapical X-ray of a lower first molar right after the inside of the roots was filled by root canal treatment — X-ray of the molar after root canal treatment. Decay had destroyed much of the upper part of the tooth, so if left as it was, there was a high risk of it splitting under chewing force.

Chewing surface of the same lower first molar after a zirconia crown was placed — After the zirconia crown was placed. The gum border flows smoothly, and the bite height was adjusted.

Condition: Root canal treatment completed because of a deep cavity, with more than half of the upper part of the tooth lost
Chosen: Zirconia crown after a core build-up
Not done: Filling with resin only (the remaining walls were thin, with a high risk of breaking)
Duration: About 1 month, 3–4 visits
Note: The crown border and the root tip are checked with X-rays at regular checkups.

CASE02

A cracked molar that twinged when chewing

Crown · covering the whole tooth to spread chewing force evenly so the crack does not open further

Close-up of the chewing surface of the lower right back molar, with thin crack lines in several directions — The molar before treatment. Thin cracks were visible across the chewing surface, and there was a sharp twinge when biting something hard.

Example photo of a zirconia crown on a lower back molar — A placed crown (same position, photo of a different patient). It covers both cracked walls at once so the walls do not separate when chewing.

Condition: Crack in the chewing surface with a momentary twinge when biting; nerve response within the normal range
Chosen: Crown with the nerve kept alive
Not done: Preventive root canal treatment (because the nerve response was normal)
Duration: About 2 weeks, 2–3 visits
Note: Putting long-term use of the tooth first, we placed the crown without root canal treatment. If the tooth later becomes sensitive, root canal treatment may be needed, and if the crack has extended toward the root, the tooth may be hard to keep, so we monitor its progress.

CASE03

Old crowns with open borders

Crown replacement · two old crowns were replaced after removing secondary decay, and the neighboring front tooth was matched with a no-prep porcelain veneer

Periapical X-ray of upper front teeth with old crowns — X-ray before treatment (upper left lateral incisor). A dark shadow was visible next to the border of the old crown, and the gum in that spot often swelled.

Upper front teeth with the old crowns removed, with part of the remaining tooth turned brown — After the old crowns were removed. The tooth under the crowns had turned brown, and the discolored part is being removed.

Front view of the upper front teeth after new crowns were placed — After the new crowns were placed. After removing the decay, we fitted them so the border flows smoothly near the gum.

Condition: Open border of an old crown with secondary decay underneath
Chosen: Crown removal, decay removal, post reinforcement if needed, then a new crown
Not done: Changing the neighboring tooth to a crown as well (the neighboring tooth was matched with a no-prep porcelain veneer, and only the two teeth that had old crowns received new crowns)
Duration: About 2 weeks, 2–3 visits
Note: Both teeth had already had root canal treatment in the past, so the crown borders and root tips are checked with X-rays at regular checkups.

* Photos were taken under the same conditions and published with the patients' consent. Treatment results and side effects may vary from person to person.

02^°

Teeth that need a crown and teeth that do not

A crown requires trimming the outside of the tooth evenly before it is placed, so we use it only for teeth that really need it.

01When much of the tooth is lost

When decay or breakage has destroyed a wide area of the upper part of the tooth, and the remaining walls are unlikely to hold up with resin or an inlay.

02Cracked teeth

When biting causes a momentary twinge and a crack is visible on the chewing surface. Without covering, the crack can spread toward the root.

03Molars with root canal treatment

A molar with root canal treatment has a wide empty space inside from decay and treatment, so it splits easily under chewing force. That is why it is usually covered with a crown.

04When a crown is not needed

If the side walls remain thick, an inlay is enough. Concerns about the shape and color of front teeth are explained separately on the porcelain veneer and front-tooth crown pages.

03^°

How crown treatment proceeds

There are six steps, from checking whether the tooth can be kept to regular checkups.

Periapical X-ray showing a wide cavity shadow inside the crown of an upper molar — Examination before a crown. On X-rays we check how widely decay has spread inside the tooth and the condition of the roots and bone height, and with a gum exam we check gum depth and bleeding.

STEP 01

We check whether the roots and gums are strong enough for a crown

With periapical X-rays we check root length and the surrounding bone height, and a board-certified periodontist checks gum depth and looseness. If inflammation at the root tip is suspected, we look with a Vatech 3D CT.

Why we do thisA crown sits on top of the tooth, so if the roots and jawbone are weak, it is hard to use for long no matter how good the crown is. If a tooth is hard to keep, we explain why before you spend money on a crown.

Periapical X-ray of a cavity on the side of a canine reaching close to the nerve space — Checking the nerve condition. We check the response to cold and the X-rays to see whether a root canal treatment is needed first.

STEP 02

We check whether a root canal treatment is needed first

We look at the response to cold, whether it hurts when tapped, and whether the decay has reached the nerve on X-rays. If the nerve is healthy, we place the crown with the nerve kept alive. If the inflammation is at an irreversible stage, we do the root canal treatment first.

Why we do thisIf nerve inflammation develops after a crown is placed, a hole has to be drilled through the crown for root canal treatment. We check the nerve before starting so you do not go through treatment twice.

Two upper molars with white posts (cores) built up and shaped for crowns — A tooth with a post (core) built up and evenly shaped. The outside is trimmed by the thickness the crown needs.

STEP 03

We rebuild the missing part with a core and evenly shape the outside

If much of the tooth is lost, we first fill it with a core build-up to create a shape that can support the crown. Then we evenly shape the outside of the tooth by the thickness the crown material needs. The amount trimmed depends on the material: relatively thin for gold, and a little thicker for ceramic-type materials.

Why we do thisIf too little is trimmed, the crown becomes thin and breaks; if too much is trimmed, the tooth becomes weak. The material has to be chosen first so we trim only as much as needed.

Explanatory illustration of a shaped molar just before a temporary crown is placed — Placing a temporary crown (explanatory illustration). While the crown is being designed from the scan, it covers the shaped tooth to prevent sensitivity and keeps the neighboring teeth from moving.

STEP 04

We design the crown from a scan or impression and place a temporary crown

With an iTero intraoral scan or an impression, we record the shaped tooth, the gum border, and the opposing teeth. While the crown is being made, a temporary crown is placed.

Why we do thisThe temporary crown prevents sensitivity in the shaped tooth and keeps the neighboring and opposing teeth from moving into that space. Please avoid sticky foods during the temporary period.

Crowns tried in on two lower molars — Check before bonding. We check that there is no gap at the gum border and that the contact between teeth and the bite height are right.

STEP 05

We check the border, contact, color, and height before bonding

We first try in the finished crown to check that there is no gap at the gum-side border, and to check the contact with neighboring teeth, the color, and the bite height. If everything fits, we bond it and adjust the height again with articulating paper.

Why we do thisThe crown border is usually near the gum, so even a small gap can lead to gum inflammation and secondary decay. That is why a board-certified periodontist checks the border and gums together.

Regular checkup periapical X-ray of crowned upper front teeth — Regular checkup X-ray. We check for gaps or decay at the crown border and whether the root tip is healthy.

STEP 06

We check the borders and gums at regular checkups

Even after a crown is placed, the border area needs to be cleaned with floss and interdental brushes. At checkups we look at the border and gums and take X-rays if needed. For people who grind their teeth, we also recommend a splint.

Why we do thisThe crown itself does not decay, but the tooth underneath can. Border decay has to be found while small to avoid redoing the crown.

* Clinical photos were published with the patients' consent. Side effects such as temporary pain or discomfort may occur depending on the person.

04^°

Comparing crown materials

Rather than one material being the best, some materials suit the position, chewing force, grinding, and gums better, so we use different ones depending on the situation.

	Zirconia	Glass ceramic (such as IPS e.max)	Porcelain fused to metal (PFM)	Porcelain fused to zirconia (PFZ)
Color	Tooth-colored	Tooth-colored, with natural translucency	Tooth-colored, but a metal shadow may show near the gum	Tooth-colored, no metal shadow, with the color matched naturally by the outer porcelain layer
Breakage	Relatively strong, but no material is unbreakable	Weaker than zirconia, so it can break under strong force	The outer porcelain layer can chip off	The core is strong, but the outer porcelain layer can chip off
Wear on opposing teeth	Low if the surface is polished smooth	Moderate	A rough porcelain surface can wear it down	A rough porcelain surface can wear it down
Amount of shaping	Moderate	Relatively large	Relatively large	Relatively large
Suitable positions	Molars, people with strong chewing force	Front teeth, premolars	Molars, bridges connecting several teeth	Where color matters, such as front teeth and premolars
Cost	See the fee schedule →	See the fee schedule →	See the fee schedule →	See the fee schedule →

Crowns are not covered by Korea's National Health Insurance (NHI). Front-tooth crowns are explained separately on the front-tooth crown page.

05^°

When should an old crown be replaced?

We replace a crown only when one of the four issues below is present. We do not replace it just because it is old.

Open gap at the border · Floss catches or food keeps getting stuck.
New decay underneath · It shows on X-rays as a shadow under the border.
Gum inflammation at the border · The same spot often swells and bleeds.
Crown broken or worn through · The chewing surface has thinned and the inside is exposed.

If the crown border is visible because the gum has receded, we check the gum cause before the crown.

06^°

Who it suits, and who is better served by other treatment

Good for you if

A molar after root canal treatment
Cracked teeth that twinge when biting
Teeth largely lost to decay or breakage

Other treatment comes first

Teeth with nerve inflammation: root canal treatment comes first
People with severe gum inflammation at the crown border: gum treatment comes first
People planning orthodontic treatment: we discuss with Dr. Sunmin Kim whether to place the final crown after orthodontics

You may not need it now

A cavity with thick side walls remaining can be treated with an inlay
Old gold crowns with no problems do not need to be replaced

07^°

Side effects and limits

Please read

· It is the treatment that trims the most tooth. That is why we use it only for teeth that really need it.

· A tooth with a living nerve may be sensitive for a while after shaping, and rarely a root canal treatment may become necessary later.

· Secondary decay or gum inflammation can develop at the border, so flossing and regular checkups are needed.

· Ceramic-type crowns can break. If you grind your teeth, we recommend a splint.

· A tooth with a crack extending toward the root may be hard to keep even with a crown.

FAQ

Are gold crowns better?

Gold crowns have the advantages of fitting well at the border, wearing the opposing tooth less, and needing relatively thin trimming. However, their color stands out, so for a visible spot we compare them with tooth-colored crowns before choosing.

Don't zirconia crowns break?

Zirconia is relatively strong, but no material is unbreakable. It can break if you grind your teeth heavily or often bite hard things, so if you grind your teeth we also recommend a splint.

After a root canal treatment, do I have to get a crown?

A molar with a root canal treatment has a wide empty space inside and splits easily under chewing force, so we usually recommend a crown. For front teeth, if much of the tooth remains, we sometimes fill it with resin and monitor it, so we decide based on how much is left.

Can cavities form under a crown?

The crown itself does not decay, but decay can form in the tooth underneath, at the border where the crown and tooth meet. The border area needs to be cleaned with floss and interdental brushes and checked at regular checkups.

The gum around my crown looks dark. Why?

It may be the metal of a metal-based crown showing through, or the gum may have receded and exposed the crown border or root. Depending on the cause, the solution is either replacing the crown or treating the gums, so we check the cause first.

How many visits does a crown take?

Usually two or more. On the first day, we shape the tooth, take an impression, and place a temporary crown, and at the next visit we fit and bond the crown. If a root canal treatment or a post is needed first, more visits are needed.

I want to replace my old gold crown with a tooth-colored one.

A gold crown with no problems does not need to be replaced. Replacing it means trimming the tooth again, which can irritate the nerve. If you still want to replace it for the color, we explain the pros, cons, and risks and decide together.

Are crowns covered by health insurance?

Crowns are not covered by Korea's National Health Insurance (NHI). For people enrolled in NHI, the root canal treatment done before a crown is covered. Costs by material are listed in the treatment cost guide.

Evidence and references

Ceramic Dental Clinic's cavity examination and treatment process: Main cavities page
Doctor's qualifications: About Dr. Ilseop Ahn (board-certified periodontist and specialist in integrated dentistry)

COSTAll costs are gathered on one page, the treatment cost guideSee cavity and root canal treatment costs →

ABROAD

For international patients

Questions from international patients who live in Korea or travel to Seoul for treatment.

How much does a crown cost?

Ceramic crowns and zirconia crowns are KRW 600,000 per tooth. A core (KRW 100,000) or post (KRW 150,000) costs extra if needed. International and Korean patients pay the same fees. The number of teeth and the method are decided at diagnosis, so we tell you the total after the examination. See our fee schedule.

How many visits do I need, and how long should I stay in Korea?

Usually 2–3 visits. At the first visit, we prepare the tooth, scan it with an intraoral scanner (iTero) and place a temporary crown. At a later visit, we check the color and bite, then bond the crown. All-ceramic crowns take 7 to 10 days and zirconia crowns 1 to 2 weeks. If root canal treatment is needed, the schedule can be longer.

What if a crown comes off after I go home?

Keep the crown and send us a photo on WhatsApp. We check it and decide whether it can be bonded again or needs to be remade. Bonding again or remaking needs a visit.

Can I use Korean National Health Insurance?

If you are enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance, insured treatments are billed under the same insurance rules as for other enrollees. Whether a treatment is covered depends on the treatment and the insurance rules, and we tell you before treatment starts. If you are not enrolled, you pay the full fee.

Can I be seen in English?

Yes. The doctor in charge of each field consults with you directly in English, so you do not need an interpreter.

How do I book an appointment?

Message us on WhatsApp. You can also send us an email or call +82-2-517-0002.

Results, the number of visits and schedules vary from person to person. More questions: Visiting from abroad.

Cavities and root canal treatmentCavities: resin filling, inlay or crown. Which do I need?→Cavities and root canal treatmentWhen is an inlay used, and how is it different from resin?→Cavities and root canal treatmentDo I really need a root canal treatment? How many visits does it take?→Porcelain veneers and front teethFront-tooth crowns: how are they different from veneers?→TMJ and teeth grindingI grind my teeth at night and clench during the day: do I need a splint?→Implants and gumsImplants: do I really need one? And if so, who will see it through, how, and to the end?→

Treatment results and side effects may vary from person to person.

You can ask first with a photo of the painful tooth

WhatsApp consultation LINE Call +82-2-517-0002 First visit