What Are the Benefits of Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns?
Posted on: 6 February 2019
Share
You may be happy to have a crown fitted onto a problem tooth, but the cost of your treatment may be a problem. You know that choosing a good quality crown is a good investment in the long-term; these crowns tend to last longer than cheaper options. Quality crowns may cost less over the years compared to crowns that need to be replaced more quickly.
However, you need to save some money somewhere right now. Luckily, you do have an option where you won't have to make a quality compromise just because you want a cheaper solution.
A porcelain-fused-to-metal crown could be just the ticket. What are the benefits of these crowns?
Increased Strength and Good Looks
Plain metal crowns are incredibly hard-wearing and strong. They usually have a longer life than other crowns made from acrylics or ceramics.
The problem with metal crowns is that they only really work on the back teeth from a cosmetic point of view. You wouldn't want a metal crown on a front tooth.
Some people actually prefer not to have full metal crowns fitted at all, even though they're stronger than other cheap dental crown options. They simply don't want any metal colour to be visible in their mouths.
A porcelain fused to metal crown gives you all the benefits of a metal crown's strength with none of the cosmetic downsides. These crowns have an internal metal structure that will last for years, but they are covered with a ceramic coating that makes the crown white like a natural tooth.
Lower Costs
Choosing a porcelain fused to metal crown is an easy way to save money and get a cheaper crown. This option enables you to take advantage of combining two materials in one crown. This combination has some cost benefits.
For example, metal crowns usually cost less than crowns which are completely made from costly ceramics like porcelain. So, the base of your new crown is based on a lower-cost material.
Crowns that are made from full porcelain usually sit at the top end of crown prices. However, the fact that your fused crown won't use that much porcelain means that the crown's coating costs are lower.
Combine these two factors, and you end up with a cheaper crown that still matches your quality requirements. To learn more about how these crowns are made and how much they cost compared to more expensive options, talk to your dentist.