Loss of teeth promises not only aesthetic discomfort, but also the digestive system. Chewing food in this case does not happen as it should. In addition, the prolonged lack of load on the jawbone due to the presence of gaps in the dentition results in certain complications. As a result of this, atrophy of bone tissue develops, because of which, the jaw itself can be deformed. Ceramic-metal bridges are designed to save people from this kind of problems.
General information
What is this type of denture design? But it is worth noting that they are widespread in many dental clinics. The whole system is represented by a metal base on which several crowns are connected at once, connected in series.
As a rule, this type of prosthetics is a fixed type. The central part of the entire structure serves as a replacement for one missing tooth or several in a row. Moreover, as a rule, it is represented by integral elements that do not have a cavity. The lateral crowns of the prosthesis act as an attachment to healthy supporting teeth.
Ceramic metal bridges are a good alternative to fragile ceramic products.
Strengths
Ceramic metal bridges for teeth are highly reliable, due to the peculiarities of their manufacture. They are made by spraying ceramics onto a metal alloy, which gives the structure strength (for more details, see the section below). The use of ceramics allows the prosthesis to be maximally similar to the shade of natural teeth.
In many dental clinics, experts advise patients to install metal-ceramic prostheses due to certain advantages:
- High level of durability!
- Durability!
- High esthetic result!
- Resistance of materials to dyes!
- Good maintainability!
In addition, finished products are not capable of causing a chemical reaction.
Due to this, such a design can be placed on almost any patient.
Additional benefits
To the above advantages of a ceramic-metal prosthesis in the form of a dental bridge, it is worth adding a number of worthy pluses:
- Aesthetics - “metal-ceramic teeth” have an attractive appearance. And to make sure of this, just look at the photo of the ceramic-metal bridge. And due to the ceramic coating, you can give artificial elements almost any shape and shade. In the case of optimal selection of crowns, they will not differ from natural teeth.
- Comfort - artificial elements serve as a complete replacement for natural teeth. When chewing, discomfort does not occur, and the load on the crowns is comparable to the effect on the rest of the row.
- Reasonable price - the cost of metal-ceramic crowns in comparison with other analogues is the lowest (except for the use of implants).
- Ease of maintenance - metal ceramics do not require any special care, just follow the oral cavity and clean the artificial elements along with natural teeth.
- Maintainability - the formation of chips on a ceramic coating is easily eliminated in a dental clinic. Moreover, the recovery procedure is performed directly in the oral cavity, that is, without removing the bridge.
Thanks to all these positive and undeniable qualities, the love of most patients for ceramic-metal bridges is explained.
A number of disadvantages
Unfortunately, in addition to the obvious advantages, this kind of prosthetics implies certain disadvantages. But, despite the enormous popularity of cermet products, it is imperative to notify patients about them. They should know about the reverse side of the coin in relation to cermets, and up to the moment they agree to their installation. But what are these flaws?
Aesthetic side
Firstly, aesthetics suffer - a ceramic coating is simply not able to completely hide the metal frame. Even if gold is used during manufacturing, the shade of the crown may not appeal to the patient. For this reason, a ceramic-metal bridge to the front teeth is not suitable for repairing a defect.
However, there is a good alternative solution. At the moment, dentures that are made of zirconium oxide or a cheaper analogue - aluminum oxide, have much better aesthetic and operational qualities. In appearance, they are most similar to natural enamel. In addition, they are relevant in case of loss of teeth of solid length - 4 or more units.
Therefore, it is the best option for replenishing the front elements. In this case, you can’t even hide your smile.
The need for depulpation
Secondly, prior to the installation of cermets, it is necessary to perform the depulpation procedure. However, this "operation" is not shown in all cases of dental prosthetics. The fact is that the root system ceases to receive the necessary nutrients and dies.
As a result, the rest of the tooth, which serves as a support for the ceramic-metal product, becomes brittle and brittle. As a result, the reliability of fastening is lost and the service life of the ceramic-metal dental bridge is markedly reduced.
At the same time, while preserving the nerve, the risk of developing diseases remains. In this case, you will have to remove the bridge, treat the root, and then return the structure to its place. In addition, the symptoms of a number of diseases do not appear immediately, and contact with metal may serve as the cause of their development.
Tooth processing
The third disadvantage is the need to grind the abutment teeth, since otherwise it is impossible to achieve reliable fixation of the prosthesis. Moreover, its size is significantly reduced from all sides. Often during this procedure, teeth that are adjacent can be affected.
Allergic reactions
Some patients may experience an allergic reaction to the metal. And this, in turn, is a direct contraindication to the installation of ceramic-metal prostheses. Although there are alternatives in the form of ceramic or zirconium products.
Denture material
What materials are used for the manufacture of ceramic-metal dental bridges? A similar question will be of interest to any visitor to dental clinics. This kind of product is a rather complex structure, which consists of a metal frame and ceramic coating.
For the manufacture of the base, precious metals are used:
- palladium;
- platinum;
- silver;
- gold.
In addition, a chromium compound with cobalt or nickel is used. After making the frame, it is covered with ceramics. This is done manually layer by layer. Moreover, after each applied layer, the product is fired under the influence of high temperature - 950 ° C.
As a result of applying this technology, the ceramic coating reliably adheres to the metal base. The frame is quite durable, and therefore, such a prosthesis can compensate for the loss of several teeth in a row.
Manufacturing steps
How are metal-ceramic bridges that are so popular today made? The whole process can be represented as successive steps:
- Examination of the patient's oral cavity and treatment of identified diseases.
- Grinding of supporting teeth to fix the prosthesis.
- Support elements are coated with a special varnish.
- An impression is taken.
- Installation of temporary crowns to protect against external factors.
- Gum retraction is performed.
- A model of the future prosthesis is being made, which is then placed in an occluder.
- For a metal base, a wax frame is made.
- The gate system is made.
- The molding material is prepared, the metal is melted and the prosthesis frame is made.
- The finished metal base is prepared for ceramic coating.
- Actually the process of applying ceramics with firing.
- A fitting is made of the finished product in the patient's oral cavity and fitting (if necessary).
- At the final stage, the bridge is fixed on the abutment teeth.
The manufacture of high-quality ceramic-metal axles for front or chewing teeth is a combination of the coordinated work of not only the dental technician, but also the dentist himself. In this case, the task of the clinic specialist is to prepare the patient’s oral cavity and supporting teeth (they serve to secure the fixation of the product) for prosthetics. Also for this it is necessary to take casts and choose the color of ceramics.
As for the duties of a dental technician, it is the manufacture of a design based on the characteristics of the patient provided by the dentist that will fully comply with them.
Feature of the installation of a ceramic-metal bridge
The main feature of the installation of this type of prosthetics is the need for a procedure for grinding teeth. And as we now know, this is also a drawback. After all, you have to process the living tissue of a healthy dental organ, since otherwise it will not work to fix the prosthesis!
The “operation” for the installation of a ceramic-metal bridge is performed using a high-speed machine and under the influence of anesthesia. In this case, extreme accuracy must be observed - a certain number of tissues should be removed, which should fully correspond to the thickness of the crown. In addition, the tooth should be given the optimal shape for attaching the bridge - in its lower part, ledges of a special kind are usually formed. If any defect is present, it must be eliminated without fail. In some cases, the installation of a pin in the tooth is required. And as for the fastening itself, then previously special cement is applied to the supporting elements.
In the event that patients feel uncomfortable, they should contact a dental clinic where the ceramic-metal crowns of the bridge were installed to determine its causes. Usually this may be due to addiction, then just wait a bit, and the discomfort will pass on their own. Otherwise, the specialist will correct the bridge.
Relevance of use
With the help of metal-ceramic prostheses of a bridge-like construction, it is possible to effectively correct a dental defect caused by a lack of several elements arranged in a row. However, due to the lack of some transparency, the crowns of the bridge are clearly visible against the natural whiteness of natural teeth. For this reason, the installation of ceramic-metal bridges on chewing teeth is relevant. And they certainly do not fall into the smile zone.
In addition, bridges made of cermets are also relevant in case of loss of 1-3 teeth in a row. And for reliable fixation, two or more supports can be used. Thus, in the absence of 3 teeth in a row, the entire structure will include from 5 to 6 crowns, depending on the specific situation.
A bridge or one crown?
A similar question is logical in the absence of one tooth in the upper or lower row. Is there a bridge in this case, or is it possible to do with a single ceramic-metal crown? A number of factors must be considered here:
- Diagnostics - first of all, it is necessary to assess the condition of neighboring dental elements. In the absence of caries, fillings and other defects, it is better to leave the tooth intact. After all, it is known what support elements are exposed to.
- Specialist consultation - dentistry is constantly being improved, and from time to time more and more new technologies appear, including prosthetics methods. Modern solutions allow installing ceramic-metal bridges on supporting teeth without turning them. But only the attending physician will be able to determine this possibility.
- An alternative option - in the absence of only one tooth, you can use the procedure of implantation of an artificial root.
If we consider the need for prosthetics from an economic point of view, then in the absence of only one tooth, it is more rational to implant. Today, this procedure is performed during one visit to the dental clinic.
Ceramic metal prostheses require significantly longer manufacturing time - about two weeks. In this case, it is necessary to periodically visit a specialist to try on the product.
Reviews
What do patients themselves think about ceramic-metal prostheses? Those people who have already managed to test the installation of bridges from this material, were satisfied with the result. Someone lost the front incisor, which forced them to resort to prosthetics with a bridge. But to say that the prospect of walking with a hole in your mouth is not encouraging - to say nothing!
Other patients were late with the treatment of chewing elements, and as a result lost them. And in this case, prosthetics is simply necessary. As a result, having received artificial crowns, they thereby restored not only the dentition, but also the chewing ability.
In other words, most reviews of ceramic-metal bridges are positive. Again, thanks to the means of modern dentistry. And for now, cermet is considered the best solution of its kind. Perhaps, after a few years, the prosthetics of the bridge construction will find a worthy competitor, but so far there is a good solution to correct the loss of one or several teeth in a row.