Dental Crowns: Are Porcelain Fused To Metal Crowns Safe? (2024)

Dental crowns are used to restore the function and aesthetics of teeth that have been heavily damaged and to protect them from further damage. If your dentist has recommended restoring one of your teeth with a crown, then you might find it difficult to choose a suitable crown material that best fits your dental needs and budgetary constraints.

Did you know? Porcelain fused to metal crowns have been around since the 1960s and are still widely used today!

But first, let's explore the different types of crowns and materials available for restoring damaged teeth. This way, you can decide which one suits you best.

 

What are the different types of dental crown materials?

Crown materials can be broadly divided into two types; metal-containing and metal-free crowns.

 

1) Metal-Containing Crowns

These dental crowns are prepared from different metal alloys.

• Porcelain Fused Metal Crowns: These crowns are typically made from a mixture of non-precious metal alloys in which the main ingredient is nickel, cobalt or chromium, that is then covered with a layer of porcelain to achieve a tooth-coloured appearance.
  
  Porcelain fused to metal crowns offer reliable solutions as they are strong, durable and the shade of the porcelain can be adjusted to match the individual's tooth colour. However, they can usually still be easily distinguished from natural teeth. One of the major drawbacks of porcelain fused to metal crowns is the appearance of a dark silver metal line beneath the porcelain layer, which many patients find unpleasant.

The great disadvantage is that they need to be prepared in thick sections to allow space for both layers of metal and porcelain thickness. Therefore, they require extensive removal of the healthy tooth structure. This weakens the tooth further and can increase the risk of needing root canal treatment.

 

Gold Crowns: Gold crowns have been in use for restoring damaged teeth for a long time. You might have seen some actors in old movies with “gold teeth.” Gold crowns provide an excellent balance between strength, safety and durability. However, their drawback is their metallic golden appearance, which may not be acceptable nowadays.

 

Related Articles

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• Things To Know About Dental Crown Zirconia

2) Metal-Free Crowns

These crowns are made from tooth-coloured materials to provide lifelike aesthetics.

• Resin Crowns – These crowns are made from tooth-coloured polymer resins. They can appear similar to natural teeth. Over time, they will lose their polish and appear more matte. They also tend to be less aesthetic than their ceramic counterparts.
  
  
• Ceramic Crowns – The most beautiful and natural-looking option, they possess excellent strength, durability¹ and aesthetics. This is why ceramic crowns are one of the most commonly placed prostheses in the oral cavity.
  
  
• Zirconia Crowns – These crowns offer the best combination of strength, aesthetic appearance and durability. They are white in appearance and similar to natural teeth. However, they are more opaque in nature, which makes them look slightly more bright in comparison to natural teeth.

 

Yes! Porcelain fused to metal crowns are generally considered safe and effective for restoring damaged or weakened teeth. These crowns combine the strength of a metal base with the natural appearance of porcelain, providing a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution.

However, to mitigate these risks, metal-free and biocompatible material options are also available that are less likely to cause allergic reactions. These alternatives, such as ceramic or zirconia crowns, offer similar benefits in terms of strength and appearance without the potential for metal allergies.

 

Overall, PFM still offer a reliable solution for enhancing both the function and aesthetics of the smile while prioritising patient safety. At Dental Designs Clinic, our priority is to offer the highest quality dental care with our experienced dental team and our modern dental diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. During the consultation appointment, we will be discussing treatment options as well as material choices that will best suit your needs.

To find out more about crowns click here or, visit our page on veneers and crowns.

References

1. Coelho PG, Bonfante EA, Silva NR, Rekow ED, Thompson VP. Laboratory simulation of Y-TZP all-ceramic crown clinical failures. J Dent Res. 2009 Apr;88(4):382-6. doi: 10.1177/0022034509333968. PMID: 19407162; PMCID: PMC3144055.
2. Bonnard P, Hermans M, Adriaenssens P, Daelemans P, Malevez C. Anterior esthetic rehabilitation on teeth and dental implants optimized with Procera technology: a case report. J Esthet Restor Dent. 2001;13(3):163-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1708-8240.2001.tb00259.x. PMID: 11499769.