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Coated metal crowns. A snow-white smile with spraying: a health risk or active protection? Pros and cons

Coated metal crowns are popular in dental practice.

And if earlier such designs were distinguished by sparkling steel, today orthopedic dentists have abandoned unaesthetic products and prefer installing coated crowns that do not differ in appearance from the rest of the dentition.

Product characteristics

Due to their wear resistance and biocompatibility, metal alloys deserve trust as products for prosthetics.

A real breakthrough in dental practice in past years was the procedure of covering crowns with a special material under the influence of high temperatures. The formed layer on orthopedic products is called spraying.

Coated dentures have retained their main feature – a metal frame. And to create a cladding on it, the following materials are used:

gold;
ceramics;
cobalt chrome;
titanium;
silver alloy with palladium;
steel.

The disadvantage of most of the listed materials is the lack of naturalness, because... in accordance with the main color of the alloy, the finished product acquires the corresponding shade - gold, silver, etc.

Products with gold plating are considered the most antiseptic and durable. They have a smooth surface that prevents the proliferation of pathogens and prevents food particles from accumulating. But gold structures are very expensive, so they are inaccessible to most patients.

Models coated with titanium nitride have distinguished themselves by high aesthetic indicators. Such products are the most popular in modern dentistry.

The appearance of the crowns is as natural as possible, so they can be used to restore not only chewing teeth, but also units from the anterior section. The spraying procedure is carried out using a vacuum-plasma technique.

Metal crowns with coating mainly differ from other types of orthopedic structures in their endurance, which is characterized by the ability to withstand heavy loads during chewing processes.

The presented products are manufactured in two ways:

stamping;
creation of a one-piece structure based on an individual cast.

The process of applying titanium nitride to a metal frame consists of the following steps:

disinfection of the prosthetic part;
polishing the surface being treated;
etching of titanium onto metal in a vacuum under high temperature.

Remarkable! Titanium nitride is not applied to the marginal part of the crown. However, after installation, this part goes under the gum, so it is invisible to others.

Punching technique

The product differs not only in the type of metal, but also in the manufacturing method, one of which is stamping. The manufacturing technology using this method is as follows:

taking an impression;
tapping the optimal shape of the product on a standard blank-sleeve.

The stamped model is a cost-effective prosthetic option, which today is very rarely used in denture practice.

Products are literally “stamped” on the basis of blanks, and only after that they are adjusted in accordance with the anatomical features of the patient’s tooth.

Such structures are very durable, however, the elements of the dentition underneath them quickly become unusable.

For reference! The wall thickness of the stamped structure depends on the alloy used in the manufacturing process. It is optimal that the wall does not exceed 0.3 mm in width. Otherwise, the specialist will have to grind off a significant amount of hard tissue from the prosthetic tooth.

Design Features

Depending on the working material of the crown being manufactured and the chosen coating, metal structures for dental prosthetics have advantages and disadvantages.

Let's look at the comparative characteristics using the table as an example.

Type of orthopedic product	Pros	Cons
Non-precious metal coated steel.	Affordable price, no difficulties in manufacturing and at the fixation stages, simple hygienic care.	There is a high probability of allergic manifestations due to the non-acceptance of various metal alloys by living tissues.
Steel coated with precious metal.	No metallic taste in the mouth, reduced likelihood of galvanosis.	High cost, but there is no aesthetic justification.
Steel with plastic lining.	Perfect aesthetics, preserved for many years, affordable cost.	There is a high probability of chipping, because tandem metal + plastic is not the best option for a denture.
Porcelain coated steel	Ideal appearance at minimal cost.	Porcelain cladding differs from metal ceramics in structural properties, so chips may occur during operation.
Golden design	Durability, antiseptic, hypoallergenic, low enamel abrasion rate.	Poor aesthetics, unreasonably high price.

All the pros and cons

Among the general advantages, dentists highlight the following:

long service life;
imitation of the anatomical shape of a natural unit;
maximum similarity in color to the rest of the dentition (not all structures);
excellent biocompatibility;
preservation of taste sensations;
minimal risk of cracks;
good strength in comparison with non-metallic structures;
complete restoration of the functionality of the dentofacial apparatus;
elasticity and pliability of the material;
no sensation of a foreign object in the mouth due to the tight fit of the product to the tooth.

Flaws:

Metal ceramics are inferior in external parameters to ceramic crowns;
the danger of a gap forming between the structure and the gum, which contributes to the accumulation of infection (applies to stamped products).

Installation restrictions

It is better to install metal structures to restore the ability of teeth to perform complex chewing functions, i.e. in the lateral sections.

However, products coated with titanium nitride can be fixed in the frontal zone, where the elements of the row are not so actively involved in mechanical processes.

Depending on the installation location, metal frames are used:

In the anterior section, it is recommended to install a durable steel crown coated with zirconium.
In the side areas, the ideal solution in this area is a one-piece frame with any coating. The type of spraying for the chewing elements does not matter, since they are hidden from prying eyes.

It is worth noting that installing a metal crown is not always possible. Let's look at the full list of restrictions:

metal allergy;
teeth grinding;
violation of row occlusion;
serious damage to support units;
periodontal disease and severe periodontitis.

In addition to the main contraindications, installation is not recommended if the finished product does not meet the basic requirements:

recreating contact with nearby units and antagonists;
exact repetition of the anatomical shape of the prosthetic tooth;
optimal height of the structure, not exceeding the dimensions of the remaining elements of the row;
sufficient tightness around the tooth in the cervical area.

For this reason, it is important to carefully choose a clinic and an orthopedic dentist who can professionally and efficiently install a prosthetic structure made in accordance with all requirements.

Stages of prosthetics

Before restoring teeth, careful preparation is carried out, including the following steps:

Consultation with an orthopedic doctor. The specialist examines the patient’s oral cavity, determines the presence of supporting elements, assesses the condition of all tissues, identifies contraindications for installation, develops a treatment plan and selects a method of prosthetics.
Diagnostics. Before installing an orthopedic product, it is important to undergo an X-ray examination. Based on the image, the doctor can correctly assess the condition of the teeth.
Preparatory treatment. The specialist treats all carious lesions, eliminates inflammation of soft tissues, eliminates hard deposits and bacterial plaque. To avoid burns during the preparation process, the nerve is removed from single-rooted elements.

An important stage of preparation is depulpation, which takes place in accordance with the following algorithm of actions:

removal of the nerve bundle;
treatment and expansion of root canals using special instruments;
introduction of filling mass into the canals;
restoration of the crown part of the tooth using a filling.

If the tooth crown is severely damaged, the doctor restores it by installing a pin - a rod that serves as a strengthening device. Also for these purposes, more modern designs are used - stump inlays.

The preliminary stage also includes grinding of the teeth. Using a special diamond bur, the doctor prepares the hard tissues of the tooth, giving it the optimal shape for a snug fit of the crown. The layer of tissue removed should not exceed the thickness of the walls of the prosthesis.

Laboratory stage

After the doctor has completed all the preparatory stages for prosthetics, the period of taking impressions and making the structure begins. In the dental laboratory, plaster models are made from ready-made impressions, on the basis of which the orthopedic product is cast.

While the permanent crown is being created, the patient is given a temporary structure that will help mask the defect and provide protection to the ground tooth.

Surgical stage (required in extreme cases)

Doctors resort to surgical intervention in rare and complex cases when the patient is diagnosed with severe pathologies.

Surgical preparation involves the following activities:

removal of untreatable teeth and their roots;
excision of hypertrophied gum tissue, scars, pronounced protrusions of the mucous membrane;
immobilization of loose but healthy elements using special orthodontic devices;
resection of multi-root elements of the dentition;
surgical elimination of overgrown bone tissue (growths, osteophytes);
reconstruction of optimal parameters of the alveolar process.

Remember! Rehabilitation after surgery lasts at least 2 months. Only after complete tissue restoration can we proceed to prosthetics.

Final stage

Before installing a crown, it is mandatory to try it on. This procedure is necessary to determine the quality of the product; for example, the frame often does not fit tightly onto the stump. Try-on manipulations help eliminate defects before permanent fixation.

After fixing the crown with temporary cement, which is carried out to determine the relationship of the teeth and the reaction of living tissues to metal, the product is permanently fixed with a special adhesive.

Note! Dentists recommend wearing the product fixed with temporary cement for at least 14 days. If the patient does not have any complaints during this period, the crown is dismantled, cleaned and installed with permanent dental adhesive.

In the video, the technician explains how to make a metal-ceramic crown.

Service life

Coated metal crowns are highly wear resistant. According to statistics, such products break down in rare cases. Steel structures can be used without problems for 15-18 years. Gold dentures have a longer service life - at least 25 years.

The lowest service life is for crowns with ceramic veneers. Patients can wear them for about 10 years.

In this case, any of the listed designs requires the patient to comply with hygiene rules and medical recommendations:

Timely verification of the presence of inflammation of the gums and the root part of a living tooth using x-ray examination.
Minimizing the consumption of too hard foods that can cause deformation of the orthopedic device.
Regular hygienic cleaning of teeth using a brush and toothpaste. In this case, the brush movements should be carried out down and back with gentle pressure on the teeth.
After each meal, it is advisable to rinse your mouth with an antiseptic.
Quitting smoking, as nicotine negatively affects the color of ceramic and plastic coatings.

Price issue

Dentists install most popular types of coated metal crowns for 1,500-2,000 rubles. Let's look at the cost of the cast prosthesis with a special composition applied using the table as an example.

The stamped frame itself, without coating, which can be installed on chewing teeth, will cost the patient about 3,000 rubles. Cast structures can be produced in clinics in the middle price segment for 4,000-5,000 rubles.

The final price for all treatment, including preparatory measures and crown manufacturing, depends on the pricing policy of the dental institution, its prestige, the professionalism and experience of the doctor, as well as the complexity of the clinical case.

Bridges and metal crowns have low aesthetic values. Therefore, they are coated with a white dense substance to improve their appearance. Coated metal crowns have good aesthetic characteristics, so they are successfully used not only on the chewing group, but also on the front.

The first plating dental crowns were made to look like gold. Such products did not look very attractive. Steel devices were also used; they were more durable and did not negatively affect the oral cavity. Metal structures are used for restoration of the chewing group, since they are able to withstand increased loads during chewing.

The main indications for prosthetics using metals include:

protection against caries and tooth decay in the future;
destruction of the unit with root canal filling;
prosthetics on pins;
restoration of the chewing group;
Bridge device support.

Solid structures are made from pre-made individual impressions, so they are not only firmly fixed to the tooth, but also serve for a long period of time.

Classification of solid devices

In dental practice, the following models are used to restore dentition:

Characteristics

What is spraying a crown on a tooth? The metal device is coated on top with a special white substance – titanium nitride using vacuum plasma technology. Metal crowns are sprayed onto a tooth at high temperatures under a nitrogen atmosphere and using an electric current. To ensure a strong connection between metals, the product is first degreased and polished.

The device is coated on all sides; crowns cannot be partially sprayed onto the tooth using a white substance. But when making a bridge or crown with plastic particles, this is taken into account when creating the coating. According to many experts, the coating negatively affects the oral cavity and the body.

When to use

The coating is used not only in prosthetics, but also in dental treatment. If the enamel is severely damaged, a special paint is applied to the teeth, which protects the enamel from further destruction and provides excellent aesthetic results.

During prosthetics, metal structures are covered on top with a white substance. This allows them to be used for the front group. Designs with zirconium coating are also used. In this case, the material is a zirconium mass, which is evenly distributed onto a metal base. This material acts as a barrier to the penetration of metal particles into the oral cavity, thereby minimizing the risk of an allergic reaction to metal.

Types of alloys

The following alloys are used to create the coating: gold-containing, titanium, chromium-cobalt, silver-palladium, steel. The disadvantage of many products is the lack of naturalness, since in accordance with the color of the base metal, the products acquire a silver, gold or steel tint. The most attractive are devices with gold cladding. They have a smooth surface and do not accumulate pathogens and food particles. Gold is considered an antiseptic material.

The disadvantage of such designs is that they are too expensive and are not available to all patients. Currently, titanium nitride coating is increasingly used in dental practice. It looks as natural as possible; such models can be placed not only on the chewing group of the dentition, but also on the frontal group, since they have high aesthetic indicators.

The advantages of devices with cladding include:

long period of operation;
maximum naturalness, their shade does not differ from real elements;
imitation of the anatomical shape of a real element;
no allergic reactions to metal;
tight grip around the neck of the tooth, so that the patient does not feel a foreign object in the mouth.

An undeniable advantage of such dental devices is also the fact that during their use the taste sensations do not deteriorate, since there is no metallic taste in the mouth, which cannot be said about traditional designs made of dental steel. The doctor decides which device to choose for dental restoration based on the condition of the oral cavity and his own tooth. An important factor in choosing models is the patient’s budget, since crowns with different coatings differ significantly in cost and are not available to every person.

What types of crowns are there?.. What materials are modern crowns made of?.. Which crowns to choose?.. This is a far from complete list of questions that torment patients. I will try to answer them in the second part of the article, dedicated to dental crowns.

So, let's start with the simple...

1. Metal dental crowns

Here it must be said that metal dental crowns can be made using two completely different methods.

A) Stamped dental crowns

They are made from standard materials (stainless steel, in rarer cases gold). In our country they are still used, unfortunately, and are also very fashionable to this day in the countries of Asia closest to us.

If you do not plan to settle in an African-American ghetto or in the Asian countries of the former USSR, then such a smile is unlikely to evoke admiring glances from others...

Throughout the civilized world, our person can easily be identified using such “fixes”. In fact, the place of this technology has long been in the museums of medical universities and students should study it not in the cycle of orthopedic dentistry (as is still the case), but exclusively within the framework of such a useful subject as the “history of medicine.” Therefore, I will not Let's look at these dental crowns in detail. The technology is the simplest (the technician cuts a metal cylinder to the required length and, tapping it with a hammer, brings it closer to the shape of a tooth), the cost is a pittance.

Complete absence of any aesthetics (although some residents of the above-mentioned countries could argue with me in this place);

The edge of the crown hangs between the tooth and the gum, being an excellent help for accumulating food reserves for a rainy day, causing chronic inflammation of the gums, circular caries, giving the breath a corresponding aroma;

The inability to make a normal anatomical shape; most often, such crowns have a completely flat chewing surface, worsening the chewing process and causing problems in the temporomandibular joints;

The thin walls of such crowns often wear out and rub through, leading to the destruction of the tooth underneath by caries...

I think this is quite enough.

This photo shows stamped dental crowns coated with “gold” titanium nitride. Spraying itself is a carcinogen and is prohibited for use in civilized countries. Here you can clearly see the condition of the crowns themselves and the surrounding tissues after several years of wear. Oddly enough, a crown that has not fallen out for many years does not mean quality treatment. Here you can see what is happening around the crown...

An example of a single stamped dental crown without spraying...

And the whole bridge. Such flat chewing surfaces without a pronounced anatomical relief lead to numerous problems that are not always easy to treat. This is especially true for diseases of the temporomandibular joint.

It would be unfair not to mention at least some advantages. If you show the miracles of tolerance, then I can hardly squeeze out two - low cost, minimal processing of tooth tissue. That's it, let's forget about them.

B) Cast metal dental crowns

This is a more modern option, which is widely used in modern dentistry and has a right to life. The technology for manufacturing a cast dental crown involves the entire standard sequence (this is discussed in the first part of how dental crowns are installed): processing a tooth with a ledge, taking an impression, casting a model, modeling the crown from wax and melting the wax blank into metal. If all stages are properly performed by the dentist and technician, the result is a crown that fits exactly to the tooth and well reproduces its anatomical shape. It can be made from a conventional alloy (most often KHS - cobalt-chromium alloy) or from a precious alloy, which is certainly better.

Cast metal crowns function at the proper level, are strong and reliable. Therefore, if you are not embarrassed by the prospect of sending sunbeams into the eyes of your interlocutor with your teeth when smiling in clear weather, then you can completely opt for them...

Extremely low aesthetics, although the lateral teeth, which are not so noticeable when smiling and communicating (especially the upper ones), can well be restored with just such crowns

Possible allergic reactions to metal (especially common alloy)

High wear resistance

Relatively low price

2. Plastic dental crowns

Sometimes in our country, where there are no standards of treatment, they are used as permanent crowns. Although all over the world, according to all standards, they can only be used as temporary (the wearing period, depending on the manufacturing technology, is from several days to several months). Why? Plastic is a fairly soft material and wears out quickly. The surface is unstable to mechanical and chemical influences - it quickly loses its appearance, is stained with food dyes, becomes unsmooth, promoting increased accumulation of soft plaque, causing bad breath. Both bridges and single crowns can easily break due to the fragility of the plastic. The marginal fit of such crowns to the tooth is quickly disrupted - accordingly, caries easily develops already under the crown. In general, wherever you spit, there are continuous disadvantages. The advantages are simplicity and low cost of production, acceptable appearance (although mostly only at the very beginning of wearing them). These advantages determine their widespread use as temporary restorations.

Plastic dental crowns - white, fast, cheap... but not for long

3. Metal-plastic dental crowns

Another type of technology unclaimed by modern dentistry. As you might guess, it combines a metal frame and a plastic cladding (full or only on the outside). The metal frame can also be stamped or cast. This technology combines all the advantages and disadvantages of those already mentioned. The only special drawback is that the metal and plastic do not have any chemical bond, and therefore the adhesion strength is very low. From here, the plastic cladding often flies off, leaving bare metal underneath. It can only be properly used for making temporary crowns for long-term wear (several months).

Metal-plastic stamped dental crowns...

Metal-plastic cast crowns... The lack of a chemical bond between plastic and metal leads to frequent chipping of the veneer

4. Metal-ceramic dental crowns

In fact, if we talk about modern options for prosthetics, then we could not mention all the previous points at all (well, maybe except for metal cast crowns), but start with metal-ceramics (MC). Because exactly metal-ceramic dental crowns are currently at the “lower stage” of the evolution of materials for the manufacture of dental crowns.

Acceptable aesthetics (especially when it comes to lateral teeth). With ceramics, which the technician covers the metal frame of the dental crown, many shades and nuances can be recreated. Its color is stable over time. However, the opaque metal frame inside the crown most often does not allow the appearance of a metal-ceramic crown to be 100% similar to the appearance of a natural tooth.

Here, all the upper front teeth were restored with MK crowns. In contrast with the lower ones, everything looks good, but still the lack of “color depth”, opacity (especially noticeable in bright lighting), unnatural fluorescence (in the ultraviolet light of a nightclub, the crown will differ from its natural neighbor, and on the front teeth this will be very noticeable) allow us to consider them the optimal solution for the restoration of the anterior group of teeth...

High strength - it is very difficult to chip a ceramic veneer if a dental crown is made according to all the rules, unlike a plastic one

Relatively low cost. Nowadays this is the most popular technology, which has become a standard in cases that do not require high aesthetic solutions.

Insufficient aesthetic options for prosthetic replacement of anterior teeth. Particularly problematic is the cervical area, which will almost always look more “dead” and opaque compared to a natural tooth. Additionally, the metal edge of a dental crown can create a dark rim around the tooth. To disguise it, the doctor often makes a ledge on the outer (front) side of the tooth just below the level of the gum. But over time, the gums may change their position in relation to the edge of the crown and it may become noticeable.

After several years of wear, the metal frame of the crown may appear as a dark stripe in the cervical area. For front teeth - not the most pleasant prospect...

Another option to combat this undesirable property of metal-ceramic dental crowns is the use of the so-called. shoulder mass. To do this, the technician removes the metal edge on the front side of the crown by 0.5-1 mm and “extends” it with special ceramics. That. The edge of the crown on the front side is purely ceramic, which improves its aesthetics.

In the left photo the arrow indicates the so-called. "ceramic shoulder". Masking the metal edge helps improve the esthetics of metal-ceramic dental crowns. Thus, in the hands of a good dental technician there is a tool to make the appearance of metal-ceramic crowns as close as possible to the appearance of a natural tooth. And over time, such a crown will not reveal itself as a dark stripe near the gums.

Allergy to the metal from which the frame of the dental crown is made (most often CHS). The solution is to use titanium or a gold-platinum alloy (ZPS) for casting the frame.

Metal-ceramic dental crowns on a gold-platinum alloy frame. In addition to the greater bioinertness of the frame, such crowns, due to the base being golden-yellow and not gray like the KHS color, are more aesthetically advantageous...

5. Metal-free ceramic dental crowns

For simplicity, I combined several different materials and technologies at the top of the hierarchy into this group. Since they all have the main advantage over others - the absence of metal and high aesthetic properties. Here we can distinguish 2 large groups.

A) Dental crowns that do not have a frame (i.e. crowns made only from pure ceramics).

The advantage of such crowns is their impeccable aesthetic capabilities. The downside is quite high fragility. Therefore, their use is very limited - basically this technology can only be used on the front teeth and only in the form of single crowns.

A darkened, pulpless incisor (upper 2) with a crack in the enamel is the best indication for an all-ceramic frameless crown. The load on the tooth is small, high aesthetics are required...The result of the work of a highly qualified dental technician will not allow even a professional to identify a crown among natural teeth at first glance...

B) Crowns based on non-metallic translucent Zirconium dioxide dental crown frame, lithium disilicate (E.max technology) or aluminum oxide.

These types of dental crowns have both significant mechanical strength (i.e., these frames can be used to make not only single crowns on the front teeth, but also on lateral and even small bridges) and high aesthetics. In fact, they are devoid of disadvantages, which can only include a high price. Besides everything else dental crown frames based on zirconium dioxide and aluminum oxide are manufactured on modern precision milling machines controlled by computers.

First, the frame of the future structure made of zirconium dioxide is modeled on a computer using a special program...... then a computer-controlled milling machine grinds the frame of future crowns from the workpiece. Since the computer does not get tired, does not come to work with shaking hands after a stormy weekend, the result of its work is predictably more accurate... the importance of the human factor in such an important part as the manufacture of a precision crown frame is significantly reduced.

As a result, this technology provides a predictably more accurate fit of the edge of the crown to the ledge on the tooth, compared to a metal-ceramic dental crown, where the frame is made by casting. And this means, on average, a longer service life of such crowns. Another undeniable advantage of metal-free crowns is their absolute biocompatibility. I have never heard of cases of allergic reactions to zirconium dioxide. While allergies to metals, incl. and on precious alloys it is not so rare in practice.

The zirconium dioxide frame is ready for ceramic veneering......ready-made crowns on a zirconium dioxide frame have all the necessary advantages - reliability, strength, biocompatibility, excellent aesthetics... the fly in the ointment is the high price. The average cost of 1 unit of ceramics on a zirconium frame in St. Petersburg is approximately equal to 1 average salary in our city (20-30 thousand rubles)...

... but provided the quality is executed, the result is worth it...

Now you have very complete information about dental crowns, which will help you and your doctor make the right choice. This topic is too broad to fit the answers to all the most frequently asked questions into 2 parts, so I will definitely return to it in the future, and will try to cover specific types of materials and technologies in more detail and clearly. The most common metal-ceramic and metal-free ceramic dental crowns in modern practice deserve a separate discussion.

Metal crowns have been and remain classics over which time has no power. Despite the emergence of ceramics and other materials, coated metal products are still popular.

Expert opinion

Biryukov Andrey Anatolievich

doctor implantologist orthopedic surgeon Graduated from Crimean Medical University. Institute in 1991. Specialization in therapeutic, surgical and orthopedic dentistry including implantology and implant prosthetics.

Ask a question to an expert

I believe that you can still save a lot on visits to the dentist. Of course I'm talking about dental care. After all, if you carefully look after them, then treatment may indeed not come to the point - it won’t be necessary. Microcracks and small caries on teeth can be removed with regular toothpaste. How? The so-called filling paste. For myself, I highlight Denta Seal. Try it too.

By using these products, even hopeless teeth can be saved if the roots are healthy. If there is no root, a titanium implant will help out; a strong, durable structure with coating can be installed on top.

Types of metal crowns

All metal structures are divided into two main types according to the manufacturing method - stamped and cast.

Metal crowns are highly durable and reliable

Stamped ones are inexpensive and easy to make. Structurally, they are caps that are put on top of the supports. The grinding is minimal; the stamped caps are produced as thin-walled caps and are placed on healthy molars. In addition to the advantages, such products also have disadvantages - with a long service life, the material wears off; if it does not fit well, food gets inside, causing caries.

Solid ones are made by casting, with or without spraying, with ceramic lining or combined bridge prostheses. Advantages: high wear resistance, strength. To make such products, an impression of the patient’s jaw is taken, and the final version is cast from it.

The finished result is close to the shape of healthy jaw units, the fit is tight, the risks are minimized. Spraying makes products more attractive, and cladding allows them to look natural.

When choosing between cladding and spraying, people tend to choose the latter, because ceramic or plastic cladding can crack and chip.

How are they made?

Metal alloys used for manufacturing:

steel;
titanium;
gold;
platinum;
silver, palladium;
cobalt, chromium

On the territory of the Russian Federation, gold is often used as a material. It is soft, has a good effect on the enamel of adjacent teeth, and adheres to the base. Gold is not subject to corrosion and has the strength to last for decades.

To make a metal structure, the doctor takes an impression of the patient’s jaw. The process is easy - a thread is placed between the tooth and gum, and the tooth is dried with air pressure. The impression mixture is placed on top of the teeth with a special spoon, hardens after 2-3 minutes, and is removed. This way the doctor receives an accurate cast of the required jaw unit or several at once.

Using this impression, the technician will create a plaster model, which will be useful for making the necessary structures. While the manufacturing process is underway, the patient is fitted with temporary plastic caps.

How are metal crowns coated?

Metal crowns are coated with titanium nitride on top. The technique is called vacuum-plasma. It came from industry, where it was used to protect parts and tools from corrosion. Before dental equipment was developed, dentures were sent to a factory for coating.

Spray coating takes place in a nitrogen atmosphere at high voltage and high temperatures. The bottom line is that ions move from the titanium nitride electrode to another electrode, which is the crown. Before the reaction, the product is degreased and polished. This will provide increased adhesion of the metals. Spraying occurs from all sides.

Indications and contraindications

Metal structures are chosen when it is necessary to restore damaged molars. It doesn't matter what the cause of the destruction was. It is important that a living root remains, which can extend its service life. Another indication is the abnormal location of the jaw units, diastema.

Before you begin making a prosthesis, you need a dental impression, on the basis of which a crown will be created.

Metal products are also installed on top of implants to restore chewing function no worse than with natural teeth. Before installation, the problematic canine and molar need to be cured. If there are carious areas, pulpitis or periodontitis, you need to fill the canals - you cannot ignore the problems, otherwise they will make themselves felt later. Dentures hold better over multi-rooted molars that have a nerve. Therefore, doctors try to preserve the pulp.

When hard tissues are severely damaged, it is necessary not only to treat, but to strengthen the future foundation for the prosthesis. In such situations, an iron pin is used, building filling material on top. Next, the mold is ground down to the dimensions required for specific prostheses.

Indications for the installation of sprayed crowns vary; for the most part, the patient’s wishes and the dentist’s recommendations are taken into account. There are recommendations that need to be taken into account:

for teeth that are part of the smile zone. Their restoration is carried out with any structures, but more often dentists recommend metal structures with white zirconium coating. This material is used in the manufacture of metal ceramics, but lasts longer;
for chewing teeth that are not visible. It is not recommended to restore indigenous ones with products with porcelain or ceramic coating, since they are fragile for the upcoming loads. Solid cast products will withstand loads perfectly and retain their functional qualities for a long time.

Taking into account the high quality and low prices of coated metal structures, they will not soon go out of practice. There are situations when dentures are contraindicated. This is a malocclusion, an allergy from the components from which the products are made, tooth decay. It is not recommended to use crowns on incisors and canines for aesthetic reasons.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The main factor in favor of choosing dentures is durability. The service life of metal products is tens of years. It is almost impossible to spoil them while chewing, the same goes for the likelihood of cracks and chips. Gold products are easy to process; they are precisely adjusted during installation and perfectly follow the shape of the jaw unit. When chewed, they do not have a negative effect on the antagonists.

Do you feel nervous before visiting the dentist?

YesNo

Titanium products are almost as popular as gold ones. They have no side effects, no toxic effects, and are even used in the treatment of dental problems in children and adolescents. The reliability of the material makes it possible to choose it for the restoration of primary molars - they have to bear the heaviest load. Compared to a titanium base, a gold one will be much more expensive.

The main disadvantage of metal crowns has always been considered to be their unaesthetic appearance, since they look unnatural. It is better not to place this option in its pure form on incisors and canines, as well as on top of the molars, if they are noticeable during a conversation, of a smile. Another thing is the metal base, on top of which it is sprayed. It does not have the disadvantages listed above, but has all the advantages of metal.

Conventional alloys are characterized by an affordable price, but when choosing, you need to take into account not only the price, but also the body’s reaction to different alloys. If an allergy is discovered later, you will have to remove the dentures and look for other options, even more expensive ones.

The disadvantages of stamped dentures include the possibility of food getting with saliva under the cap, which provokes rotting, inflammation, caries, and an unpleasant odor. Thin-walled dentures wear out quickly, so the supporting tooth will eventually have to be removed if the process is too advanced. Therefore, stamped versions are not used today; cast ones are used instead.

How are metal crowns installed?

All procedures begin with a consultation with an orthopedic dentist. He will conduct an examination, order tests, take x-rays to determine the condition of the teeth, jaws, gums, and identify indications and contraindications for prosthetics and the type of crowns.

The preparatory stage includes the following activities:

treatment of carious cavities;
removal of non-viable jaw units;
choosing the appropriate type of design based on the patient’s financial capabilities, preferences, and indications.

Sometimes it is necessary to remove the nerve to avoid complications after prosthetics. But if the situation allows, it is better to leave the pulp intact; this will extend the life of the abutment tooth, as well as the crown.

Crowns are installed when teeth are damaged. As long as the process is not serious, you can get by with fillings, veneers, and other methods. When the coronal part has crumbled, the nerve is removed, the canals are filled, and the shape is restored, on top of which the prosthesis will subsequently be attached. Restoration of the support is carried out in 2 ways:

Using a titanium rod (pin), which is screwed into the sealed root. Next, a polymer is built up on top of the post, hardened under a UV lamp, and replaces the tooth.
Using a stump tab. Its lower part is attached to the root canal, the upper part will be ground to the size of the crown.

The next event is turning. When there is no nerve, anesthesia can be excluded; there is no particular pain. If the nerve is alive, an injection with a suitable anesthetic is given into the gum. The supporting tooth is ground down to the required size, taking into account the thickness of the walls of the future prosthesis. After this, the doctor makes an impression with a special mass. It will serve as the basis for laboratory technicians to make a model from plaster and cast the product from selected materials.

While the structure is being made, plastic caps are placed on the ground teeth to protect them and also ensure comfort for chewing and speaking.

The next stage is fitting, installation of the prosthesis on temporary cement. This point cannot be ignored, since the trial period will show whether there are any flaws, how comfortable the patient is, how the gums and oral cavity react. After a couple of weeks, if there are no complaints, the doctor removes the crown, cleans the cavity, prepares the support and installs the prosthesis with permanent cement.

Crown care

The length of time that dentures will serve directly depends on proper care for them. To avoid damaging the structure prematurely, you should avoid the following:

chew seeds, nails;
squeeze your jaw tightly;
bite through bones and cartilage.

Despite the fact that the crown is made of strong, durable material, teeth cleaning should be carried out as before, and even more thoroughly. After each snack, rinse your mouth; in the morning and before bed, brush your teeth with a special paste, brush, and brush. An irrigator is also used that produces an elastic stream of water. This will prevent the accumulation of plaque and will prevent diseases of the gums and teeth.

Metal crowns on teeth still remain popular, since nothing more reliable and stronger has yet been invented in prosthetics. Such products have been worn by our ancestors since ancient times, and they still continue to serve people with their durability. Although the appearance of the crowns is far from the most attractive, the price and quality correspond to reality.

What is it

A solid-cast crown is a metal product that is made from various alloys of titanium, cobalt-chromium, and nickel-chromium metal, and its design is completely cast. The main area of use of this type of crown is prosthetics of chewing teeth. This is caused by their poor aesthetic component.

A one-piece (metal) crown is considered a high-precision product, which, although it has a metallic color, sits very tightly in the oral cavity. These crowns are an excellent choice for distant teeth.

Advantages of solid cast products

This material has a number of advantages, namely:

Firmly adheres to dental tissues.
It is safe (teeth do not break or chip).
Features a natural anatomical shape.
Low price compared to other analogues.
Does not wear away opposing teeth.
Remarkably restores chewing performance.

Reasons for installation

Experts advise placing metal crowns only in certain cases, if:

It is precisely those teeth that are responsible for chewing that are destroyed;
sections of the jaw row are noticeably worn;
the tooth is severely damaged or injured;
There are implants on the teeth.

To install such a product, you need to visit an orthopedic dentist at least twice. First, the doctor will review x-rays of the oral jaw, then begin treatment for caries of those teeth where metal crowns will be installed. The nerve is removed from the place where turning or preparation is planned.

Metal crown: types

As a rule, when a patient turns to a dentist for help to get a metal crown, he is offered two options depending on the method of its production:

One-piece product. It is made from special casts by firing in an oven. This crown has thick walls, which has a beneficial effect on its service life. It is made from base (alloys of chromium, nickel, steel) and noble (platinum, palladium, gold, silver) metals. Due to the steel coloring of the products, only the lateral teeth, hidden during conversation, are used for prosthetics. They are optimally suited for prosthetics of chewing teeth because they can withstand considerable loads.
A stamped crown is a standard sleeve that is ground by a special machine to give the product the required shape.

Modeling a solid crown

This product is considered a reliable prosthetic option and is installed from a cobalt-chrome alloy. The (metal) solid cast crown has an undeniable superiority - it has no soldered joints, and this makes it especially strong. It covers the ground tooth well, preventing the cement mixture from dissolving and reducing the likelihood of food getting under it. The period of operation is 15-20 years. Modeling a solid crown includes several points:

casting a prosthesis;
tooth preparation (from 0.2 to 0.6 mm of tissue is removed);
production of a wax cap by stretching;
finishing, fitting, grinding, polishing the metal surface;
taking impressions, including opposing and adjacent teeth.

Samples of such products

Today, in the office of an orthopedic dentist, solid metal crowns are installed (you can hear only positive reviews about them from most patients) of several types:

Without spraying - simple steel-colored products.
Sprayed. If such “beauty” is not suitable for the patient, if desired, the crowns can be made with a coating that imitates gold.
Coated. Products lined with ceramics are considered even more aesthetically pleasing. Their front side is covered with a ceramic lining. However, you should be extremely careful when eating, because the ceramics can chip.
Combined. With this prosthetics, some crowns are covered with ceramics, while others, which are hidden when smiling, are placed without veneering.

Stamped crowns

They are prosthetics made from factory sockets, which are given the required shape. The products have thin shells, so there is no need to grind off a large number of tooth tissues. A crown (metal) is installed if there is no root destruction and 1/3 of the tooth is preserved. For its production, gold or

The ease of creation determined not only the low price, but also the short service life of the material. Gold ones are made from an alloy that is 90% gold.

Manufacturing steps

There are certain stages in creating such a crown:

the patient is given impressions of both jaws to model the product, which should be completed within 15 minutes until compression of the raw materials occurs;
the lines of the prosthesis are marked on the plaster so that it does not come out too wide or narrow;
then there is modeling with wax, which is applied to the surface of the plaster - thus, the crown (metal) takes on an anatomical shape;

Based on the drawn model, a steel die is created, which is driven into the sleeve;
external stamping is carried out using a screw press;
the stamp is removed, and the edges of the product are cut off with special scissors.

During the manufacturing period, firing is carried out repeatedly so that the metal becomes more unyielding and strong. The prosthesis should not have any irregularities or cracks.

Indications for installing a stamped product

Installation of a metal crown is performed:

for preliminary prosthetics of a baby tooth before replacing it with a permanent one;
for savings;
as a fundamental component during installation;
if the tooth is so traumatized or damaged by caries that it is impossible to restore it with a filling.

Crown installation process

This event usually occurs in 2 stages:

At first, the product is placed temporarily so that the doctor can observe the reaction of the tooth.
If the patient does not complain of pain, then at the next visit the crown is removed, cleaned of preliminary cement and reinstalled, but using zinc phosphate or glass ionomer cement.

If, as a result of the first installation, it is discovered that the metal crown (photo below) causes discomfort to the patient, then it will be removed and processed again.

What should a properly installed product look like?

Correctly produced and placed crown:

firmly adheres to the tooth shell;
has a smooth, polished shape;
sinks into the periodontal cavity by 0.2 mm;
reproduces the anatomical shape of a molar;
contacts adjacent and opposite teeth.

Contraindications for installation

In some cases, it is not recommended to install a metal crown if you have:

bruxism;
the presence of an allergic reaction to steel;
broken dentition;
noticeable damage to a living tooth;
complex due to poor aesthetics when prosthetizing anterior teeth.

What harm does a metal crown cause?

In certain situations, such a product may cause damage:

Due to its installation, galvanic syndrome may occur. This is due to the use of several alloys to create the orthopedic structure. Mixing different materials leads to the formation of galvanic current. Headaches, swelling, some diseases, a metallic taste, sleep disturbances, and a burning sensation in the mouth occur.
A crown (stamped) is not produced from individual impressions; therefore, it is unsuitable for sufficiently restoring the functions of a living tooth.
The product does not fit closely to the tooth, creating a gap between the walls into which food debris penetrates. Therefore, healthy tissue may rot underneath it.
The one-piece crown has good thermal conductivity. If it was placed on a non-pulpless tooth, then unpleasant sensations may appear while eating hot food.

Timeless technology

The production of metal crowns is an “eternally young” technology of the last century, which has practically not been modernized recently. Along with some modern and fashionable methods of permanent prosthetics, it remains just as popular. And this is not surprising, since the main reason for this relevance is the low cost of the prosthesis with high strength.