Crowns and bridge of metal-ceramics

When are metals indicated for artificial teeth?

If a denture can not be entirely made of ceramics, for example wide gaps, there must be a baseframe of metall for crowns and bridges. This metal baseframe is especially in visible areas coated with ceramics or sometimes with resin (veneered).

Pure gold is not possible!

Gold without alloy is not just precious but also particulary biokompatible. Because pure gold is very soft it is not suitable to use it as baseframe material. To obtain a higher grade of stability other metals e.g. platinum are admixed to the gold. That is the reason why only these alloys are used for crown and bridge baseframes.

For example:

Degunorm by the Degussa-Dental company is such an alloy. It`s main components are 92% gold, silver and platinum.

Degunorm is a high gold alloy that shines golden and can be used for almost all kinds of dental works. From tooth fillings (inlays) over crowns and bridges to combined dentures. (attachment- or telescope prothesis)

 

Single crowns made of metall-ceramics

When is a crown indicated?

Massive cavity damage or fillings are crowned. The tooth is grinded down from the outside and gets a new cap.

 

Bridges made of metal-ceramics

What are bridges for?

A tooth gap is closed comfortabily and aesthetically challenging with a fixed bridge. Pontics replace missing teeth, the adjoining teeth are used as sustaining abutment. Bridges are also veneered in visible areas.

Is the metall visible?

That your new teeth stay a secret between you and your dentist, the metal frame gets a veneering, a coat made of ceramic or resin. With a high level of sensitivity for colours, surface design and shape, the veneering has to be adapted harmonically to the natural teeth. Transparency and light-reflecting play a major role in doing so.

The pros and cons of crowns and bridges:
+  established standard
+  long lasting
+  good function
+ in visible areas veneered with ceramics
+  grant in aid by the health insurance (for ceramics only in the visible areas)

-  appears less natural than full ceramics
-  the metal base blocks the incidence of light thus dark margins can occur at hte transition area of the gingiva

 

Inlays made of gold

What are gold inlays?

Gold inlays are indicated for larger cavity damages. The advantage is the exact fitting on the transition to the own tooth.

The pros and cons of gold inlays:
+  long lasting
+  good function
+  exact fitting

-  aesthetically unfavourable
-  no grant in aid from the health insurance (statutory health insurance)
-  higher costs (gold)