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Metal Ceramic
- Metal Ceramics for the profession
- Metal Ceramic cases
- Metal Ceramics for the patient
- This is how they are made
- Your dentist may recommend metal ceramics restoration........
Metal ceramic for the profession
Metal ceramic crowns and bridges remain the cornerstone of the restorative options in the UK. We use top quality techniques utilising magnification during model and metal preparation. A white opaque layer is used to combat the greyness created by the oxide layer, this helps to ensure the best aesthetic result possible. We use a porcelain butt fit margin whenever the preparation allows.
Here are a few cases that we have made with GC Initial porcelain on Gold or Palladium based alloys:
Metal ceramic for the patient
- The vast majority of replacement teeth (crowns) made in the UK are a made by baking a ceramic layer onto a metal core. They are very strong and have a long and proud history, the first metal-ceramic units were available commercially in the 1960's. Metal ceramic allows many different design options, they generally fit very well and can be very aesthetic. The role of the dental technician cannot be overstated. Top quality restorative dentistry requires top quality technicians, probably more so in metal ceramics than any other restoration.
- They have a few drawbacks that all ceramic restorations have been introduced to address. The metal needs covering with an opaque layer, like a paint, that gives a base colour for the more translucent ceramic layer on top. A successful metal ceramic unit needs sufficient space to allow good coverage of this paint layer, otherwise they can appear rather bright/opaque. The metal core can also cast a shadow into the soft tissue that can make the gum appear a little grey in comparison to an un-restored tooth. An all ceramic unit may be a better option for the front teeth where appearance is very important.
Your dentist may recommend metal ceramic for a front tooth because:
- Lack of space at the back of the tooth where the metal would be stronger than all ceramic. You need a bridge for which all ceramic is less well tested and not as strong. You already have a metal core in your tooth that an all ceramic crown may not cover.
The points made here are generalisations. Teeth and mouths are extremely complex systems which your dentist is in the best position to assess. If you are unhappy with what your dentist has recommended, ask them if there is an alternative treatment and what the compromises may be if an alternative is persuade.
