I Need Crowns on my Molars. Do the Crowns Have an Odor to Them?

Crowns don't have any special odor or taste to them, and once in place for a few days you really shouldn't notice they are there. As far as bad breath or halitosis, crowns won't cause it but not keeping them clean will. If plaque is allowed to build up on the crowns then there could be a bad taste or odor (or decay that can cause a crown to fail). The fit of a crown is more the result of the ability and care taken by the dentist and lab than of one type of crown over the other.
There are many different types of crowns, these could be all gold, or porcelain fused to metal, or all ceramic. There is really no one best material for all situations. I would be very cautious of crowns at the low end of the price range for your area. Often these are porcelain fused to metal crowns which contain nickel instead of a precious metal such as gold. The issue with nickel is that many people, particularly women, are allergic to it. This increases the chances of problems later on. These types of crowns are also frequently made offshore for a very low cost and with questionable quality.

Dental crowns neither have an odor nor cause halitosis or bad breath.  Common causes of bad odor coming from the mouth include severe decay and infection of the gums. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash twice a day should prevent bad breath.  It also helps to gently brush the tongue.

There are crowns that are made only of porcelain or of metal, while others are made of porcelain fused to metal.  All porcelain crowns are more esthetic, but all crowns should fit well with closed margins when delivered.  Best, Dr. Elizabeth Jahanian

Crowns do not cause bad breath.  Halitosis is the result of plaque and bacteria building up in the mouth.  It may also be caused by untreated oral infections such as gum disease, decay or abcess.  If a crown is not properly fitted to the preapared tooth, leaving an open margin, then buildup of bacterial in this opening can also cause halitosis.

Skill of the dentist in preparing the tooth for a crown, accuracy of the impression and skill of the lab technician making the crown are the factors which effect fit and marginal adaptation.  A poorly designed crown will likely fail.  A properly designed and fit crown will succeed so long as the patient maintains their oral hygiene.

In our office we use the CEREC system to take highly accurate digital impressions.  We examine the digital scan and modify the prepared tooth to optimize crown design.  CAD/CAM or computer assisted technologies are used to mill a porcelain crown that precisely fits the tooth.  The result is a precision fit, aesthetic crown, that can last a lifetime.