Two legitimate options, not a "good vs. bad" choice
Both porcelain-fused-to-metal and zirconia crowns are established, reliable restorations — the right choice depends on which tooth is involved, your budget, and how much long-term appearance matters to you for that specific tooth.
The price difference in practice
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns commonly run around €80–100 per unit, while monolithic zirconia crowns are typically priced somewhat higher, around €120–180 per unit — a meaningful difference across a full-mouth case with multiple crowns.
Durability: closer than most people assume
Both material types are genuinely durable when properly fitted — PFM crowns have decades of proven longevity for back teeth specifically, while monolithic zirconia is prized for its chip-resistance in high-bite-force areas. Neither is simply "the strong one" and the other "the weak one."
Appearance: where the real difference shows up
Zirconia's biggest advantage is having no metal at all, so there's no risk of a visible dark line at the gumline over time — this matters more for front, visible teeth than for back molars.
A sensible way to think about mixing the two
Many patients reasonably choose zirconia for their visible front teeth and porcelain-fused-to-metal for their back molars, balancing budget against where appearance actually matters most in their specific mouth.
What determines which one your dentist recommends
Beyond your preference, your dentist will factor in how much of the natural tooth structure remains, your bite force in that specific area, and whether the tooth is visible when you smile — these are clinical, not just cosmetic, considerations.
The question to ask before deciding
Ask your dentist directly which material they'd recommend for your specific tooth and why — a good answer references your bite, tooth position and visibility, not just a single default material used for every case.