Metal Ceramic Crowns
Metal ceramic crowns are a traditional type of crown often used in bridges plus crown and bridge cases. They are often fitted onto back teeth and are considered a strong, robust type of crown.
But they are viewed as less than attractive. Many people choose the all ceramic crowns, zirconium or the E-Max crown for their greater aesthetic appeal.
What Is A Metal Ceramic Crown?
Another name for this is a ‘porcelain fused to metal’ crown. They consist of a metal interior or base which is fused to porcelain crowns. The metal interior can be produced from a range of metals, e.g. alloy and this is what gives this crown its strength.This type of crown is both robust and long lasting. It is considered a better fit than many other types of crowns and to have greater strength as well.
How Are Metal Crowns Fitted?
These are fitted in a two step process.
The first step involves a dental check up followed by the preparing of the tooth for the crown. The dentist will clean this tooth before reshaping it with a small drill so that it has a tapered appearance and is a good fit for the crown.
This reshaping also helps to remove the signs of damage, decay or staining. The aim is to ensure that your tooth is in a good condition and ready to receive the crown.
This is followed by an impression of your teeth. The dentist will take an impression of your teeth with a special mould which is filled with dental putty. He or she will ask you to bite down into this putty which will leave an accurate impression of your teeth.
This impression is then sent away to a dental laboratory where it will be used in the fabrication of your metal crown. Expect to wait up to three weeks for this crown.
Once your crown is ready you will return for the fitting. The dentist will insert the crown over your tooth before checking its appearance against a tooth colour chart. He or she will also check the position and fitting.
Once you are both happy with this, the dentist will then fix it in place with dental cement.