Metal ceramic crowns are a traditional type of crown often used for bridges and multiple crowns. They consist of a metal interior fused to a porcelain exterior. While considered strong and durable, they are thicker than other crowns and can show the dark metal through the gumline or porcelain over time. They also have a risk of chipping. The process of creating a metal ceramic crown involves shaping the tooth, taking an impression, creating a metal framework, adding porcelain, and cementing the final crown. All ceramic crowns have become more popular due to their superior aesthetics.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. ADVANTAGES OF METAL CERAMIC CROWNS
• 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.
• They are often cheaper than other types of crowns, for example all
ceramic crowns.
• The cost of a crown depends upon the material/s used, the location in
the jaw (e.g. front or back tooth) and the extent of the procedure. As
you might imagine, the more crowns you need the longer this will
take which will increase the cost.
•

4. DISADVANTAGES OF METAL CERAMIC CROWNS
• A disadvantage with this crown is that there is often a structural
weakness in the ceramic crown. The crown can be prone to chipping
or a fracture.
• There is a risk of this occurring due to the complexity of the
fabrication procedure. There is a high degree of difficulty in producing
metal crowns which increases the likelihood of this.

5. • Plus this is a thicker type of crown which can mean the dentist having
to remove a larger portion of your affected tooth. Tooth reduction is a
part of the preparation stage but the amount removed depends upon
the state of the tooth and the type of crown being fitted.
• Increased tooth reduction can cause problems if this procedure has to
be reversed some time in the future.

6. • Finally, there is an aesthetic issue with metal ceramic crowns. What
tends to happen is that the metal base begins to appear around the
gum line or darkens the porcelain crown. This is more likely to occur
in people who have receding gums but it is something to bear in mind
when choosing a crown.
• There are people who dislike this obvious grey line around the edge
of the crown and choose a ceramic crown instead.
•

7. 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.

8. • 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.

9. Construction of the metal ceramic crown .
Clinical and laboratory steps
• 1 _ Anesthesia
2 _ tooth preparation
3 _ gingival retraction
4 _ impression taking
5 _ temporary restoration fabrication
6 _ gypsum cast fabrication
7 _ wax pattern fabrication
8 _ casting metal framework
9 _ correction of ready metal framework on the cast model
10 _ try in oral cavity and shade selection
11 _ ceramic material is veneered ( sintered ) into a metal frame in
several firing processes

10. • 12 _ correction of ready crown on the cast model
13 _ try in oral cavity
14 _ glazing
15 _ try in oral cavity and cementaion