Porcelain or all-ceramic teeth, dental restoration how to choose not to make a mistake?

All-Ceramic Crowns: All-ceramic crowns are porcelain restorations that are made of porcelain inside and out and do not contain a metal inner crown. Because the inner crown does not contain metal, and the use of high strength zirconia and other materials similar to the colour of the teeth, so the metal base porcelain restorations are closer to the transparency and colour of the natural teeth, more beautiful, more natural performance of the gum edge after restoration, and has the advantage of low stimulation of the surrounding tissues.

Porcelain crowns: Porcelain crowns are usually made of metal on the inside and porcelain on the outside, providing both the strength of metal and the colour of porcelain, while taking into account both strength and aesthetics.

Porcelain crowns will be cheaper compared to all-ceramic crowns, but it should be noted that the metal substrate may have some impact on MRI and other tests, and should not be used by people with metal allergies.

Porcelain Crowns vs All-Ceramic Crowns

1.Simulation and aesthetics

Porcelain teeth: the metal crown of porcelain teeth is opaque, which directly affects its transparency, so that the colour of the porcelain teeth become chalky, compared with natural teeth is not natural enough, in the anterior aesthetics may be difficult to meet the requirements of patients.

All-ceramic teeth: all-ceramic teeth without metal crowns, the material has good transparency and refractive properties, with real teeth to match the translucency, its colour is natural, restorations with healthy teeth as one, suitable for front tooth restoration or veneers.

2.Crown hardness

Porcelain teeth: the material hardness is relatively large, but due to the brittle texture, if subjected to excessive pressure, may be prone to chipping. 

All-ceramic teeth: slightly softer than porcelain teeth, but with good toughness and fracture strength, not easy to break and fracture.

3.Crown wearing comfort

Porcelain teeth: some porcelain crown metal, there is a certain amount of stimulation of the gums, some patients are allergic to metal, may cause gum swelling, bleeding.

All-porcelain teeth: all-porcelain materials are biocompatible, no irritation and allergic reaction to the gums, better than metal materials, can avoid allergies, irritation, corrosion and other adverse reactions in the oral cavity.

4.Gum black line problem

Porcelain teeth: metal inner layer in the oral cavity for a long time oxidation will form grey impurities, slowly deposited to the edge of the gums, thus causing the gums grey or even black, affecting the aesthetics.

Can I still have an imaging test if I have porcelain teeth?

Porcelain teeth are susceptible to artefacts that interfere with the image when performing MRI examinations of the head and neck due to the influence of the metal inner layer, which needs to be removed if necessary before performing the examination.