Ceramic Crowns & Fixed Proshteses (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 FIXED PROSTHESES:

  1. They can be constructed to a highly acceptable esthetic level.  These restorations are the most beautiful and natural-appearing restorations in dentistry.
  2. 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 CRONS AND FIXED PROTHESES:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.