June 29, 2016
Dental Materials
| Comparison of Indirect Restorative Dental Materials | ||||
| FACTORS | ALL-PORCELAIN (ceramic) | PORCELAIN Fused to metal | GOLD ALLOYS (high noble) | BASE METAL ALLOYS (non-noble) |
| General Description | Porcelain, ceramic or glass-like fillings and crowns. | Porcelain is fused to an underlying metal structure to provide strength to a filling, crown or bridge. | Alloy of gold, copper and other metals resulting in a strong, effective filling, crown or bridge. | Alloys of non-noble metals with silver appearance resulting in high strength crowns and bridges. |
| Principal Uses | Inlays, onlays, crowns and aesthetic veneers. | Crowns and fixed bridges. | Inlays, onlays, crowns and fixed bridges. | Crowns, fixed bridges and partial dentures. |
| Leakage and Recurrent Decay | Sealing ability depends on materials, underlying tooth structure and procedure used for placement. | The commonly used methods used for placement provide a good seal against leakage. The incidence of recurrent decay is similar to other restorative procedures. | ||
| Durability | Brittle material, may fracture under heavy biting loads. Strength depends greatly on quality of bond to underlying tooth structure. | Very strong and durable. | High corrosion resistance prevents tarnishing; high strength and toughness resist fracture and wear. | |
| Cavity Preparation Considerations | Because strength depends on adequate porcelain thickness, it requires more aggressive tooth reduction during preparation. | Including both porcelain and metal creates a stronger restoration than porcelain alone; moderately aggressive tooth reduction is required. | The relative high strength of metals in thin sections requires the least amount of healthy tooth structure removal. | |
| Clinical Considerations | These are multiple step procedures requiring highly accurate clinical and laboratory processing. Most restorations require multiple appointments and laboratory fabrication. Moderate resistance to fracture in high-load restorations. Low resistance to fracture. Low to moderate resistance to fracture. | |||
| Resistance to Wear | Highly resistant to wear, but porcelain can rapidly wear opposing teeth if its surface becomes rough. | Highly resistant to wear, but porcelain can rapidly wear opposing teeth if its surface becomes rough. | Resistant to wear and gentle to opposing teeth. | Resistant to wear and gentle to opposing teeth. |
| Resistance to Fracture | Prone to fracture when placed under tension or on impact. | Porcelain is prone to impact fracture; the metal has high strength. | Highly resistant to fracture. | |
| Biocompatibility | Well tolerated. | Well tolerated, but some patients may show allergenic sensitivity to base metals. | Well tolerated. | Well tolerated, but some patients may show allergenic sensitivity to base metals. |
| Post-Placement Sensitivity | Sensitivity, if present, is usually not material specific. | |||
| Low thermal conductivity reduces the likelihood of discomfort from hot and cold. | High thermal conductivity may result in early post-placement discomfort from hot and cold. | |||
| Esthetics | Color and translucency mimic natural tooth appearance. | Porcelain can mimic natural tooth appearance, but metal limits translucency. | Metal colors do not mimic natural teeth. | |
| Relative Cost to Patient | Higher; requires at least two office visits and laboratory services. | Higher; requires at least two office visits and laboratory services. | Higher; requires at least two office visits and laboratory services. | |
| Average Number of Visits To Complete | Minimum of two; matching esthetics of teeth may require more visits. | Minimum of two; matching esthetics of teeth may require more visits. | Minimum of two | |
NOTE: The information in this chart is provided to help dentists discuss the attributes of commonly used dental restorative materials with their patients. The chart is a simple overview of the subject based on the current dental literature. It is not intended to be comprehensive. The attributes of a particular restorative material will vary from case to case depending on a number of factors.
American Dental Association
Medical Note: This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for a professional dental diagnosis, examination, or personalized treatment plan. Every patient’s condition is different. The appropriate treatment can only be determined after an in-person consultation, review of dental and medical history, and necessary diagnostic imaging. If you are experiencing pain, swelling, infection, trauma, or a dental emergency, please contact a licensed dentist promptly.
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