Explaining the Porcelain Fused to Metal Dental Crown

A porcelain fused to metal dental crown repairs and protects damaged or decayed teeth. This crown is popular for both front and back teeth, as it reinstates the tooth's size and shape while providing the strength to withstand chewing pressure.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Porcelain Fused to Metal Dental Crown

PFM crowns have many benefits for your patients but also some disadvantages compared to other crown types. 

The advantages of a porcelain fused to metal crown include:

• Porcelain exterior allows for color-matching with surrounding teeth
• Aesthetic appearance
• Highly durable to endure the stress of chewing for many years
• More affordable than all-porcelain crowns

The disadvantages of PFM crowns include:

• Potential darkness around the gumline due to underlying metal (primarily an issue with receding gums)
• Risk of allergic reactions 
• Placement requires removing more natural tooth structure than other crown types 
• Doesn’t offer the same level of strength as metal alloy crowns 
• Doesn’t have the same aesthetic appeal as all-ceramic crowns

Other alternatives to porcelain fused to metal crowns include ceramic crowns or other metal or gold alloy crowns.

Porcelain Fused to Metal Dental Crown Prep

During porcelain fused to metal crown preparation, anesthetize the area to keep your patient comfortable. Remove any decayed tissue and, if necessary, build up the tooth for a solid foundation. Shape the tooth by removing enamel in some spots and adding material in others for a good fit.

After preparing the tooth, take your patient's dental impression, then send it off to a lab, such as PRO-Craft Dental, to create your custom PFM crown. Place a temporary stainless steel crown while waiting for the permanent crown to protect the tooth. When the permanent crown is ready, remove the temporary one and attach the final crown to the tooth.

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