Tag: metal

Metal-ceramic crowns and prostheses – traditional porcelain

Metal-ceramic crowns and prostheses are a classic option for people who have lost one or more teeth, to fully or partially cover a damaged crown or to improve the appearance, shape or alignment of teeth. Porcelain dental crowns are the popular name for metal-ceramic crowns, but today there are other types of porcelain for dental crowns.

metal ceramics — Protese metaloceramica sem gengiva para arcada completa

Advantages of metal-ceramic prostheses

The positive points of metal-ceramic crown technology are their strength, high level of durability and appearance. With the new generations of different porcelain formulations, they look very similar to natural teeth. In their final finish, porcelain prostheses are given a special shine so that they don’t darken under the effect of black light.

How crowns are made from this material

A metal-ceramic crown consists of an internal metal structure, which is then veneered with porcelain (ceramic).

internal metal structure of metalloceramic crown — *Metal-ceramic crown Metal structure ready for an implant crown and for a natural tooth*

metalloceramic crown vs. zirconia crown — *Front and inside view ofmetal+ceramic crown (metal inner layer) vs. porcelain crown with zirconia inner structure*

Metal-ceramic crowns have a great ability to blend in with the natural coloring of neighboring teeth. They can be used, for example, to replace a large restoration, protect a weakened tooth, make prostheses for one or more teeth, restore a dental implant or a full prosthesis to replace all the teeth in an arch. In short, when making a prosthesis, the patient and the dentist will decide on the best option for each person.

Zirconia crown vs. metalloceramic crown — Which material is better? The zirconia crown (left) or the metalloceramic crown (right). The strength of the pieces is similar, but there is a great advantage in the aesthetics of the crown which contains no metal inside.

If it’s a metal-ceramic prosthesis, the specialist will choose the correct color so that it matches your natural teeth. Before your permanent porcelain crown is made, you will receive a temporary dental crown. In some cases where natural teeth are reconstructed using porcelain crowns, the root canal-treated teeth will need an internal reinforcement pin called a dental core.

metal ceramic dental bridge 3 teeth — *Fixed metal-ceramic prosthesis for 3 teeth (the central tooth is missing). Floss does not pass between the teeth in this type of prosthesis.*

metal ceramic upper full dentures — *Metal-ceramic upper total prosthesis: 1 – Trial of the metal structure milled by computerized systems; 2 – Prosthesis with the application of porcelain crowns and artificial gingival characterized*

Disadvantages of the metal-ceramic crown

The structural metal of the metal-ceramic is the main strength of the metal+porcelain prosthesis (resistance), but it is also its main disadvantage. The internal metal of the prosthesis or dental crown can make the work less aesthetic because:

A dark spot may appear on the tooth due to the translucency of the metal.
Dentures can turn gray
A metal-ceramic porcelain crown can show metal on its edge, leaving the gums dark
The porcelain of dentures can detach one day, leaving the bare metal exposed
They are difficult to repair in the event of a fracture
They are less living than natural teeth or more modern prostheses such as dental zirconia.

metal-ceramic prosthesis subjected to light illumination — *Metal-ceramic prosthesis can reveal the opacity of the metal inside when exposed to light*

What if I don’t want metal in my mouth?

Another option to metal ceramics can be metal-free porcelain, which is very suitable for front teeth or for people who are allergic to metals. Nowadays there are several types of metal-free crowns, including computer-made crowns, in which the molds are not made with putty but with digitized molds.

ImplArt Odontologia has its own dental laboratory within the clinic. This certainly facilitates communication between dentists and prosthodontists and reduces the time it takes to make the prosthesis. The in-house prosthetic laboratory is fully equipped with digital technologies and 3D tooth printers. If you have any questions, please contact our team or book an appointment with our specialist team. We’d be delighted to hear from you!

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Computerized metal-free porcelain crown

The metal-free porcelain crown provides aesthetics combined with strength and durability

What is a porcelain crown?

A porcelain crown is an artificial tooth – a dental prosthesis – that resembles in form and function a natural tooth that has been damaged. Porcelain crowns can also be grouped together to make fixed bridges or fixed porcelain prostheses. Here at the ImplArt Dental Clinic in Brazil, we make metal-free crowns using completely computerized systems. We therefore offer our patients the most modern systems and the most advanced results.

What is dental porcelain?

Porcelain is a material that resembles glass and is used to reconstruct teeth. It has a natural color and high resistance. It is also called dental ceramic.

Types and materials of porcelain crowns

In short, there are different types of materials used to make porcelain crowns: the older materials use metal and the more modern ones are metal-free. Porcelain crowns with metal internal structures are called metal-ceramic and crowns with a white structure such as zirconia are called metal-free.

There are also crowns that do not use internal structures and are made using computerized methods. In addition, covering a destroyed natural tooth with a ceramic crown is essential for oral health, as it will restore the patient’s chewing ability and even allow them to eat hard foods.

The advantage of the metal-free porcelain crown is that it is more aesthetic, since pure porcelain is a white material. As a result, the structure is not visible inside the crown even in brightly lit environments. The new generations of porcelain crowns are made using cad/cam methods according to computerized designs and don’t even require layers of internal reinforcement like metal and zirconia. They are made from a single (monolithic) material. These are digital, metal-free porcelain crowns whose main advantages are aesthetics and speed of production.

Translucent zirconia

Another innovative material for making a new porcelain crown is translucent zirconia, a material that is up to 10 x stronger than ordinary porcelain crowns. For this reason, they are highly recommended for the oral rehabilitation of back teeth and in patients with bruxism. Oral rehabilitation with crowns can be carried out on implants, on roots with root canal treatment and on natural teeth without root canal treatment.

Fitting dental crowns requires preparation (tooth wear) so that the crown fits correctly. The main digital technique we use is Cerec 3D, an intraoral molding system with scanners and robotic tooth production.

Before a permanent prosthesis is made, we will make a temporary prosthesis so that you don’t lose your tooth. After the rehabilitation treatment, you will be able to lead a normal life, eat hard food and clean your teeth every day with a toothbrush and dental floss. The ImplArt Clinic specializes in dental prostheses and can offer you a porcelain crown with state-of-the-art technology.

Porcelain crown: advantages and indications

Porcelain crowns are fixed dental prostheses that mimic the shape and appearance of natural teeth. When a tooth is badly damaged, it may be necessary to have root canal treatment and a porcelain crown. By Dr. Roberto Markarian, graduated dentist and specialist in dental prostheses and dental implants in São Paulo, Brazil.

What is dental porcelain?

Choosing the ideal dental prosthesis can lead to confusion when faced with a number of options. Fixed dental prostheses must meet both functional and aesthetic needs. These are the main objectives that determine the choice of the ideal material. Before choosing the material, it is first necessary to understand the differences between the types of porcelain dental crowns. The main one is the reinforcement technique, which is the part required for masticatory efforts. Understand the differences better:

Metal-ceramic crown

The porcelain dental crown is built on a metal structure. It is durable and aesthetic, and can be used on both anterior and posterior teeth. However, in some cases, it may not achieve the best aesthetic result on anterior teeth, because the dark metal inside the prosthesis can leave the crown looking darkened when subjected to intense lighting.

Porcelain crown with metal-free zirconia

This is a porcelain crown mounted on a white zirconia structure, which is therefore metal-free. It is highly durable and has excellent aesthetic results, as the white zirconia of the internal structure leaves the crown with a natural appearance very similar to the natural tooth. The porcelain crown with zirconia can also be fixed on dental implants and is completely computer-engineered and made on a 3D tooth printer. It is also an indication for people with metal allergies.

Pure porcelain crown

It has excellent aesthetic results and great resistance. The material used is lithium disilicate or feldspathic ceramic. Because this ceramic is very translucent, it is not normally suitable for use on darkened teeth or on metal posts.

How much does a porcelain crown cost?

Treatment prices can only be given after a face-to-face dental consultation. This is because the patient needs to be thoroughly assessed so that our team can understand their functional and aesthetic needs. Only then can we recommend the most appropriate treatment. In many cases, our team will offer a number of treatment options and respective outcome expectations, and the patient is free to choose.

Porcelain crowns can be made quickly in our clinic using our Day Clinic method for porcelain crowns. At the end of the porcelain crown treatment, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene by flossing daily and brushing regularly.

If you are far away, it is possible to have an online consultation, also known as a teleconsultation. This preliminary consultation takes place with our clinical director, Dr. Roberto Markarian, who will be able to make a preliminary assessment of your case and make recommendations for your treatment. This also applies to those who need dental implants, as we can plan your dental implant surgery remotely.

Learn more about porcelain crowns

Metal-ceramic prosthesis for implants

Metal-ceramic prostheses, also known as porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) prostheses, offer a reliable and durable solution for patients seeking tooth replacement with both aesthetic appeal and structural strength. These prostheses consist of a metal framework covered with layers of porcelain, ensuring a natural look while providing long-lasting stability. Widely used in dental rehabilitation, PFM prostheses are ideal for patients who need durable solutions, particularly in areas of the mouth where the force of chewing is greater.

At Clínica ImplArt, the application of metal-porcelain prostheses combines advanced dental technology with expert craftsmanship, ensuring optimal results for each patient. The clinic’s dental specialists are well-versed in modern techniques that improve both the functionality and the aesthetics of these prostheses, delivering a solution that blends seamlessly with natural teeth while maintaining high resistance to wear and tear over time.

The metal-ceramic prosthesis is a traditional material for making crowns on implants

Metal-ceramic (metal + ceramic) crowns and prostheses are the most common option for making a crown or prosthesis on an implant.

How do the prostheses work with this building materials?

Metal acts as a structural reinforcement, while porcelain offers aesthetics. Therefore, the positive points of this material are: resistance, great durability and aesthetics, characteristics that are very similar to natural teeth.

Metal-ceramic dentures also have a great ability to blend in with the natural coloring of neighboring teeth. Porcelain can also be used for the prosthesis of one or more teeth on dental implants. Metal-ceramic prostheses on dental implants are undoubtedly a highly durable and comfortable option for patients.

Among the indications for metal-ceramic crowns on implants are also crowns, bridges and complete fixed prostheses. One of the great difficulties in working with metal ceramics is the need to completely hide the metal.

Example of metal-ceramic prostheses made at the ImplArt Clinic

We can do your metal-ceramic bridge in Brazil

How are the aesthetics of metal-ceramic dental crowns? Does the metal not show?

This model of crown can change over the years. Sometimes the gums can recede over time and expose a metal line, compromising the aesthetics of the smile.

Especially in areas where aesthetics are essential, we recommend zirconia crowns. These are prostheses with an internal structure made of zirconia, a white ceramic material with a shade and translucency very similar to human dentin.

In addition, the application of porcelain in metal-ceramic prostheses is completely handmade and the final aesthetic depends a lot on the skill of the ceramist (technician who works with ceramics).

If you have any questions about techniques, prices or treatments, please contact us or make an appointment. We’ll be happy to welcome you!

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Technology: metal free prostheses made by computer and AI

The main characteristic of metal-free prostheses is the absence of metal in their structure. For example, they don’t need a metal support for the porcelain to be applied. In this way, unitary prostheses or fixed bridges look more like natural teeth.

Conheça as aplicações da computação na realização de próteses dentárias por AI

Metal-free, computer-engineered prostheses with artificial intelligence AI

The structure of metal free dentures is made of zirconia, a very resistant white ceramic material.

Its light shade is comparable to human dentin, so the inside of the prosthesis is discreet, even when subjected to light.

This is not the case with metal-framed dentures, which can have dark spots in the same situation. The use of dentures and artificial intelligence.

the use of dentures can be optimized with the help of artificial intelligence.

Computer dentures are an effective solution for replacing missing teeth. It can be a single prosthesis or a fixed bridge, providing a more natural look and similarity to natural teeth.

Metal-free dentures are made from zirconia, a resistant white ceramic material that has a light shade similar to human dentin. This ensures that the inside of the prosthesis is discreet even when exposed to light. In addition, the use of dentures can be optimized with the help of artificial intelligence.

New computerized dental prosthesis technologies, combined with artificial intelligence, offer more efficient work proposals and faster completion times.

metal free fixed total prosthesis on implants zirconia prosthesis, dental prosthesis on computer — Computerized dental prosthesis made of zirconia

Computerized planning of metal-free prostheses, computerized dental prosthesis — *Computerized planning of metal-free prostheses*

More advantages of digital technologies and computerized dentures

In addition, other positive points of computerized dental prosthesis technology are: improved aesthetics, high durability, translucency and little chance of gray spots appearing in the gum areas. At ImplArt Odontologia, the entire molding process for metal-free crowns is done by computerized intraoral scanners.

The digital mold is the basis for planning the prosthesis and the crowns are made using 3D tooth printers. All systems are based on the Cad/Cam system. If you have any questions, please contact us or make an appointment.

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Cerec 3D – Emax Cad crowns

Emax Cad crowns are prostheses used in oral rehabilitation and dental restoration to cover, protect and strengthen teeth that have been extensively damaged by decay or root canal treatment.

Ceramic crowns in Emax Cad

Developed by the German company Ivoclar, the technical name of the Emax material is lithium disilicate and it has the ability to offer high aesthetics and high resistance.

Dissilicate porcelain is classified as a glass porcelain, or glass-ceramic, with diverse applications for dental prostheses on teeth and implants, contact lenses, porcelain blocks, individual crowns on structure. In other words, these are applications for single teeth or up to 3 teeth. For larger dental prostheses, we use other types of dental porcelain, such as translucent dental zirconia.

emax cerec implart crowns — *Digital emax crowns guarantee the best aesthetic results*

EMAX crown applications

Dental crowns can also be placed on dental implants to replace missing teeth. They can be made from different materials such as temporary resins, but the main one is Emax Cad ceramic. What are the main advantages of the Emax Cad crown?

High resistance and durability;
Very aesthetic look, similar to a natural tooth;
Range of blocks with different colors and types of resistance for different uses;
Minimally invasive restorations;
It can be made using the metal-free technique (no metal in the internal structure). This makes the crown look translucent and much more aesthetic in bright environments.

emax crowns — The digital emax crown is milled by robotic machines in the blue phase, when the material is still soft. The material is then crystallized at over 700 degrees to achieve the final color. On the right, it has received the final polish that guarantees the smoothness of the structure and final pigmentation (even in black light environments).

Emax porcelain crowns in digital dentistry – how are they made?

ImplArt Odontologia is equipped with the modern Cerec 3D system with CAD/CAM technology, which simulates and digitally plans the treatment right through to making the Emax Cad ceramic crowns. The system is complete and consists of three units:

1 – Intraoral scanner: high-precision color camera that makes digital molds of the patient’s teeth and sends them to the computer.
2 – Computer and software: receives the information captured by the intraoral scanner and carries out simulation and personalized treatment planning using 3D images.
3 – Machining bay: robots mill the Emax Cad ceramic block based on the computerized design until the shape of the crown is achieved. The result is a piece that is strictly compatible with the patient’s needs.

emax ceramic crowns 3d printer — *Complete oral rehabilitation of the lower arch using emax computerized porcelain*

When the milling is complete, the piece undergoes a sintering process at approximately 850°C and acquires high strength, shade and translucency. The CEREC 3D system certainly speeds up treatment, even allowing it to be carried out and finalized in Day Clinic planning.

With it, it is possible to make crowns and restorations that are very precise and customized to the needs of each case. Contact us and make an appointment to find out if your case could benefit from this technique.

We’ll be happy to solve your problem in our specialized clinic. We also offer translucent zirconia crowns, a new type of dental porcelain that is even more resistant than Emax.

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Dental zirconia: better aesthetics for dental prostheses

There are different materials that can be used to build a dental prosthesis, the main ones being: resin with a metal internal structure (metalloplastics/Branemark protocol), ceramic with a metal internal structure (metalloceramics) and the most aesthetic option which is ceramic with a metal-free dental zirconia internal structure (metal free).

Therefore, among the possible materials for dental prostheses, we have:

resin with an internal metal structure – this is known as metalloplastic or Branemark protocol,
ceramic with an internal metal structure – this is called metal-ceramic,
the metal-free dental zirconia ceramic.

The most aesthetic option is ceramic with a metal-free dental zirconia structure, also known as metal free.

We can perform your zirconia bridge in Brazil

The evolution of aesthetic dentures

Most total or partial infrastructures are made with metal alloys that play the role of mechanical and functional support. However, their dark color can compromise the final aesthetics, especially in areas that are more apparent and important to patients.

As a result, metal-free ceramic structures are gaining ground, mainly because they achieve a more aesthetic result and because of their biocompatibility, resistance and stability.

Dental ceramics and zirconia are considered the most advanced materials because they do not contain metals in their composition, which provides an aesthetic dental prosthesis that is much more similar to natural teeth.

Zirconia teeth can be single, bridged or full-arch, installed on teeth or on dental implants.

Dental zirconia is a white, resistant ceramic material used to build the structure of the prosthesis. A layer of porcelain is applied to this structure, which makes the prosthesis similar to natural teeth in terms of translucency, texture and shade.

As zirconia is white, the prosthesis has a similar shade and translucency to natural teeth, even when exposed to light.

New types of more translucent dental zirconia allow for the complete fabrication of dental prostheses by computer, without the need to apply porcelain manually.

The shade of zirconia is comparable to natural human dentin. In contrast, the same result cannot be achieved with a prosthesis containing a metal framework.

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Zirconia – far superior aesthetics

Metal-ceramic prostheses, when exposed to light, have a slightly darkened core. In addition, over time, grayish lines may appear on the gingival margin.

This is because bone and gum changes naturally occur over the years, and this remodeling can expose a small portion of the metal of the prosthesis and thus cause aesthetic damage to the smile.

Another advantage of zirconia is that prostheses made from this material are completely computer-engineered and executed on 3D printers using Cad/Cam systems. This allows prostheses to be made more quickly and accurately.

For your convenience, ImplArt Odontologia has its own digital prost hesis laboratory that develops dental zirconia prostheses. Make an appointment and find out if this technique is right for you. We would be delighted to hear from you!

See below for photos of implant treatments and fixed porcelain and zirconia dental prostheses: