What is the difference between an all-ceramic all-ceramic crown and a porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown?
All-ceramic crowns are a type of cosmetic crown which are made purely from ceramic and no other material. This is in contrast to other types of crowns such as the porcelain fused to metal variety and gold crowns.
The defining feature of these crowns is that they are made from a translucent material which is attractive to look at and blends in well with the rest of your teeth.
This means a top quality crown which will last for many years. The majority of all ceramic crowns are produced using computer technology, e.g. CAD/CAM technology which is based upon 3D design.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns (PFMs) have a metal shell on which is fused a veneer of porcelain in a high heat oven. The metal provides strong compression and tensile strength, and the porcelain gives the crown a white tooth-like appearance, suitable for front teeth restorations. These crowns are often made with a partial veneer that covers only the aspects of the crown that are visible. The remaining surfaces of the crown are bare metal. A variety of metal alloys containing precious metals and base metals can be used. The porcelain can be color matched to the adjacent teeth
An all-ceramic crown is beautifully translucent, like natural teeth. The all-ceramic material leaves no unnatural grey line near the gums, because it is metal-free and biocompatible. A porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown has a core of cast metal alloy covered with porcelain. If your gum recedes, a gray line will become visible. Caption: 1. All-Ceramic crown 2.
