Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are much easier to place than all-porcelain crowns. To place all-porcelain crowns requires sophisticated bonding techniques that often haven’t been taught in dental school, so the dentist has to pursue that training through continuing education. Glendale cosmetic dentist Dr. Robert Thein has pursued that training. Please see our page on Dr. Thein’s credentials to read more.
When metal is involved, the metal has to be covered with an opaquer, and the end result then lacks the natural translucency that makes teeth so beautiful.
A Porcelain Crowns Case from Dr. Thein
To the right is an example of one of Dr. Thein’s patients, Jo Ann. The crowns on her lateral incisors appear to fit well, and look functional. But they have an opaque look to them. And they illustrate another disadvantage of porcelain fused to metal crowns—they display a dark line at the gumline.
This is the picture of Jo Ann’s front teeth, after Dr. Thein replaced the old crowns with beautiful, naturally translucent all-porcelain crowns, and brightened the rest of her front teeth with porcelain veneers. You can see that the dark line at the gumline is gone, and there is now a lifelike beauty to her teeth.
Read more about Jo Ann’s story.
All-Porcelain Crowns vs. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns
All-porcelain crowns aren’t as strong as porcelain fused to metal. But if they are bonded on properly, they are strong enough to serve on front teeth without any problems. Porcelain mimics natural tooth structure so closely, that even cosmetic dentists can’t tell these crowns from natural teeth.
Caution has to be used if they are used on back teeth, and they can’t be used in dental bridges. There are new zirconium materials that work very well for back teeth and bridges.
If you are interested in restoring your teeth with this treatment, contact us to schedule an appointment, or request an appointment online.