Metal Crowns

A cross between metal and porcelain crowns, PFMs consist of a metal substructure that is layered with a veneer of porcelain, fused to the metal in a high heat oven. This hybrid composition gives the crown a tough underlying structure with a tooth-colored exterior. PFM crowns are strong and may be used for either front or back teeth. However, whilst they can be closely matched to natural teeth, the metal substructure inhibits the transmission of light through the tooth and crown, and these types of restorations can look quite dull and opaque. The underlying metal can also show through as a dark edge underneath the tooth’s gum line, or indeed, be fully exposed in the event of some soft tissue (gum) recession.

The main ADVANTAGES of crowns are:

  • They provide great aesthetics and durability They’ve been around for over 50 years.
  • We know they work well. They are less costly than all porcelain crowns However, the DISADVANTAGES of PFMs include

    • Metal crowns are not toxic, but they can be unsightly and they are no more reliable than tooth colored options – particularly when high quality ceramics are used