How to choose the material for “porcelain teeth”?

  Fixed dentures are materially divided into all-porcelain, metal porcelain and all-metal. All-metal dentures have been almost eliminated from clinical practice due to poor aesthetic results.  Metal porcelain teeth, i.e. sintered porcelain layer on the metal surface. Materials used for metal inner crowns include nickel alloys, titanium alloys, cobalt-chromium alloys, and semi-precious/precious metals (containing platinum, gold, palladium, silver, etc.). Nickel and titanium alloys are base metals and generally cost about $500 to $900 per tooth. It should be noted that both alloys contain unequal amounts of nickel metal, which can produce black lines on the gums and are biologically safe in most cases, but a small number of patients with individual sensitivity may have severe systemic symptoms. Cobalt-chromium alloy is also a base metal, but no clinical discomfort has been found, and is among the most commonly used porcelain dental materials today, at approximately $1000 to $1500 per tooth. Semi-precious/precious metal teeth, on the other hand, are like buying gold, and are calculated by the gram, at about $1,800 to $3,000 a tooth.  For all-ceramic teeth, commonly used materials include cast ceramic, aluminum oxide and zirconia. These three materials range from low to high in price and strength, and from high to low in aesthetics. That is, the most aesthetic is cast ceramic, but relatively brittle, mainly for good biting space of the front teeth, the price is about 1800 ~ 2000 yuan; the most expensive is the best strength of zirconia ceramic, mainly for posterior teeth, the price is generally more than 3000 yuan. Nowadays, the material is developing faster and the aesthetics of zirconia material is gradually improving, almost simulating natural teeth.  All-porcelain teeth are more comfortable to wear because they are metal-free and light in quality; low thermal conductivity, which helps protect the pulp, and maintain their natural color whether under light or in natural light. Many big stars are to improve the smile through all-porcelain material dentures. Of course, “you get what you pay for”, all-porcelain teeth can achieve the “star effect”, the natural cost is not expensive. Its price will never be lower than the precious metal teeth. At the same time, although all-porcelain teeth look good, some materials are more brittle and may chip.  Therefore, the denture material can be selected according to the doctor’s advice and their own economic ability.