Metal-ceramic crowns outwardly almost do not differ from healthy teeth and are a cast metal mold made of alloys of durable metals, covered with a ceramic layer of the color of natural enamel. Today we will tell you about metal-ceramic crowns for teeth, as well as their main advantages and disadvantages.
The service life of such a prosthesis depends on the correct choice of material, the quality of the preparation of the teeth and the manufacture of the product, and on average is about 10-11 years. In order to avoid excessive stress on the teeth, crowns of this type are installed in patients at the age of 16.
Types of metal-ceramic crowns
According to the manufacturing technology, metal-ceramic crowns are divided into stamped, milled and with a shoulder mass. The first type is relatively unreliable, as it can have significant gaps between the tooth and the gum. The second option exactly corresponds to the natural form and can be called durable.
As for shouldered crowns, they contain more ceramic than metal. This is the most modern of these types and combines aesthetics and durability.
Advantages of metal-ceramic crowns
- The undoubted advantages of metal-ceramic prostheses include high strength and lightness, which are suitable in the case of a very decayed tooth. The outer coating of the crown is not exposed to scratches and cracks, the action of salty and sweet foods.
- Small chips during operation should be eliminated in a timely manner. This is done easily and quickly in one visit to the dentist.
- A gold or platinum frame can last up to 15 years, moreover, it is more aesthetic in terms of color depth with a thin coating of ceramics than a simple metal.
- This type of crowns can be confidently installed not only on the side, but also on the front teeth: they will look very natural and will not darken with time.
- The composition of the ceramic surface is very similar to natural tooth enamel, therefore it does not damage the gums and adjacent teeth and does not bother a person for more than 10 years.
Disadvantages of metal-ceramic crowns
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are the smart choice to give teeth their full function and aesthetics. But there are a number of features of this type of prosthesis, which can be attributed to the disadvantages.
- Not every body accepts the metal frame of the crown, especially those made from an alloy of cobalt and chromium, which can cause allergies. Detachment and spalling of the upper layer from the base of the prosthesis is easy to correct, as already mentioned in the previous subsection, but the existence of such a possibility is considered by some patients as a disadvantage.
- The most affordable types of metal-ceramic crowns with a thin layer of ceramics and a simple metal frame should not be used for the front teeth, as they “sin” by translucent metal base in the light.
- Disadvantages also include the need to remove a significant part of the volume of the tooth for a proper fit of the crown and the removal of the nerve, as it risks being damaged during grinding of the tooth.
Features of metal-ceramic crowns
Despite a number of disadvantages and features, the installation of metal-ceramic crowns can solve the issues of strength, beauty and costs.
