Ceramic Crowns & Fixed Prostheses (Bridges)
Crowns or bridges made entirely of ceramic materials are available. There are numerous types and brand names of these restorations.
ADVANTAGES OF CERAMIC CROWNS AND FIXE PROSTHESES:
- They can be constructed to a highly acceptable esthetic level. These restorations are the most beautiful and natural-appearing restorations in dentistry.
- Ceramic restorations do not have metal undercopings, as do porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Therefore, these crowns are biologically compatible and have extremely low allergenicity or toxicity.
DISADVANTAGES OF CERAMIC CROWNS AND FIXED PROSTHESES:
- Some of these restorations may not be as strong as metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations. If your bite is especially abusive, some ceramic restorations may not have adequate strength for you. Occasionally during service, some types of all-ceramic restorations break and require replacement.
- Some brands of ceramic restorations can be made into fixed prostheses (bridges) with adequate longevity expectations and others cannot.
If you have a need for an optimum esthetic result or you have allergies to metals used in dentistry, you may want to consider all-ceramic restorations. If not, porcelain-fused-to-metal or metal restorations may be a better choice.