If you need a partial crown, you may be wondering just what exactly are the pros and cons of using different materials which can be used to bespoke craft it for you; here at Wimpole Street Dental Clinic.
We choose to use all-ceramic crowns as we believe they offer superior results in both aesthetic appeal and functionality such as biting surface and mouth comfort. We appreciate that a partial crown is a substantial tooth restoration as well as a significant financial investment in oral health and wellbeing; so, it is prudent to consider the correct material choice from the outset. The partial crowns we mostly make ourselves in our own laboratory are meticulously designed to artificially replace the tooth substance missing in a larger cavity – when a tooth filling no longer presents the best option.
Our Dental Laboratory
The pros (or advantages) of using all-ceramic crowns are in evidence from the very start of their manufacture. We are delighted to offer our patients a partial crown which has been designed in our very own dental laboratory. We have complete control over our manufacturing process which is obviously a patient advantage to offer our dental community. We know every component which forms part of the partial crown as it has been custom made to the highest standard by an expert member of our dental technician team.
Our Expert Team
At Wimpole Street Dental Clinic, we are proud to offer our patient-centred approach which we believe is another advantage (or an added pro for partial crowns) for our patients. From the first contact to book your appointment to scheduled treatment, post-treatment care and scheduling for your next appointment – our professional staff and our state-of-the-art technology work in seamless harmony so you receive the very best bespoke dental care we can provide, both in plan and in practice.
Partial Crowns – an overview of the pros and cons of each material
For your ease of reference here below is a sample set of advantages and disadvantages (pros and cons) which you can expect to experience from each type of material currently used to make full crowns and partial crowns in modern dentistry today.
As you can see, all-ceramic crowns present an outstanding material choice for you; from ease of fitting to your aftercare and longevity once securely placed.
| Material | Advantage(s) |
| Non-noble alloy metal crowns | Strong, durable enough to withstand biting and chewing forces. Good option for teeth which are usually not visible, at the back of the mouth. Cost effective choice and ease of cleaning |
| Gold crowns | Exceptionally durable, easy to clean. An investment choice. Especially effective to help manage heavy teeth grinding (bruxism) |
| Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns | A good fit and a good aesthetic result can be achieved. This choice was the ‘gold’ standard within dentistry for many years. |
| All-ceramic crowns | Creates the exact tooth colour for the best aesthetic results. High biocompatibility. Versatile when combining the material to craft the final prosthetic – you can produce e.max or even zirconia crowns. Best survival rates of all crown/partial crown materials when bonded adhesively to the tooth. |
| Material | Disadvantage(s) |
| Non-noble alloy metal crowns | Metal ions present can discolour gums and be temperature-sensitive at mealtimes. Possibility of galvanic toxicity – where the metal present in the dental crown can emit electrical energy when in contact with other metals via the saliva |
| Gold crowns | Highly visible in the mouth at all times, especially when you smile. Can be equally temperature-sensitive at mealtimes. |
| Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns | A low flexural (bending) strength when managing biting and chewing forces. Metal margins can appear around the edge of the affected tooth, once fitted, impairing the final aesthetic result. Metal ions can discolour gums, galvanic toxicity risk, too. Risk of ceramic chipping. |
| All-ceramic crowns | Chips or cracks can appear over time. We encourage the highest standards of oral hygiene to be practised at home coupled with regular dental and dental hygienist appointments here in clinic. |
Contact Us
Sometimes when thinking about your next dental treatment there can be a lot of information for you to consider – which may seem overwhelming at first. We think decision-making is best led by the expert dentist in charge of your care, as they can take you through all your questions step-by-step and explain in more detail if you need them to.
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the materials used to make partial crowns and their relative pros and cons in usage.
A member of our Management and Receptionist team will be delighted to take your call and if you are ready, book your next consultation or treatment appointment with us.