Loss of teeth promises not only aesthetic discomfort, the digestive system also suffers. Chewing food in this case does not happen as it should. In addition, a long-term lack of load on the jawbone due to the presence of gaps in the dentition turns into certain complications. As a result of this, atrophy of the bone tissue develops, due to which the jaw itself can be deformed. Metal-ceramic bridges are designed to save people from this kind of problems.
General information
What is this type of denture design? And 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 connected in series are located at once.
As a rule, this type of prosthetics is of a non-removable type. The central part of the entire structure serves as a replacement for one missing tooth or several in a row. At the same time, asas a rule, it is represented by solid elements that do not have a cavity. The lateral crowns of the prosthesis act as an attachment to he althy abutment teeth.
Permet bridges are a good alternative to fragile ceramics.
Strengths
Metal-ceramic dental bridges are highly reliable, due to the peculiarities of their manufacture. They are made by spraying ceramics onto a metal alloy, which gives strength to the structure (for more details, see the section below). The use of ceramics makes it possible to give the prosthesis the maximum similarity with the shade of natural teeth.
In many dental clinics, experts advise patients to put metal-ceramic prostheses due to certain advantages:
- High strength!
- Durability!
- High aesthetic result!
- Dye resistance of materials!
- 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 - “cermet teeth” have an attractive appearance. And to be convinced of this, just look at the photo of the ceramic-metal bridge. And at the expenseceramic coating can be given to artificial elements in almost any shape and shade. In the case of optimal selection of crowns, they will not differ in any way from natural teeth.
- Comfort - artificial elements serve as a complete replacement for natural teeth. When chewing, there is no discomfort, and the load on the crowns is comparable to the impact on the rest of the row.
- Acceptable 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-ceramic does not require any special care, it is enough to monitor the oral cavity and clean artificial elements on a par with natural teeth.
- Repairability - chipping of the ceramic coating is easily repaired in the dental clinic. Moreover, the restorative procedure is performed directly in the oral cavity, that is, without removing the bridge.
It is thanks to all these positive and undeniable qualities that the love of most patients for metal-ceramic bridges is explained.
A number of shortcomings
Unfortunately, in addition to the obvious advantages, this kind of prosthetics implies certain disadvantages. But, despite the huge popularity of ceramic-metal products, it is imperative to notify patients about them. They should be aware of the other side of the coin in relation to cermets, and before agreeing to their installation. But what are these shortcomings?
Aesthetic side
First,aesthetics suffers - the ceramic coating is simply not able to completely hide the metal frame. Even if gold is used during manufacturing, the patient may not like the shade of the crown. For this reason, a metal-ceramic bridge on the front teeth is not suitable for correcting a defect.
However, there is a good alternative solution. At the moment, dentures, which are made of zirconium oxide or a cheaper analogue - aluminum oxide, have much better aesthetic and performance qualities. In appearance, they are as similar as possible to natural enamel. In addition, they are relevant in case of loss of teeth of a solid length - 4 or more units.
Because this is the best option for replenishing the front elements. In this case, you don't even have to hide your smile.
Need for depulpation
Secondly, prior to the installation of cermet, 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 of this, 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 metal-ceramic dental bridge is noticeably reduced.
At the same time, if the nerve is preserved, 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 symptomsa number of diseases do not appear immediately, and the reason for their development may be contact with metal.
Tooth treatment
The third drawback is associated with the need to grind the abutment teeth, because otherwise it is impossible to achieve reliable fixation of the prosthesis. Moreover, its dimensions are significantly reduced from all sides. Often, during such a procedure, the teeth that are located nearby can also suffer.
Allergic reactions
Some patients may develop an allergic reaction to the metal. And this, in turn, is a direct contraindication to the installation of metal-ceramic prostheses. Although there are alternative options in the face of products made of ceramics or zirconium.
Prosthetic material
What materials are used to make metal-ceramic dental bridges? A similar question will be of interest to any visitor to dental clinics. This type of product is a rather complex structure, which consists of a metal frame and a ceramic coating.
Precious metals are used to make the base:
- palladium;
- platinum;
- silver;
- gold.
In addition, a chromium compound with cob alt or nickel is used. After the frame is made, it is covered with ceramics. This is done by hand, layer by layer. Moreover, after each applied layer, the product is fired at a high temperature of 950 °C.
As a result of applying suchtechnology, the ceramic coating adheres securely to the metal base. The frame turns out to be quite strong, and therefore such a prosthesis can compensate for the loss of several teeth in a row.
Production steps
How are metal-ceramic bridges, which are so popular today, made? The whole process can be represented in the form of successive stages:
- Examination of the patient's oral cavity and treatment of identified diseases.
- Grinding abutment teeth to fix the prosthesis.
- Support elements are coated with a special varnish.
- Impression in progress.
- Installation of temporary crowns to protect against external factors.
- Gingival retraction in progress.
- A model of the future prosthesis is being made, which is then placed in the occluder.
- For the metal base, a wax frame is made.
- The gating system is being made.
- The molding compound is being prepared, the metal is melted and the frame of the prosthesis is made.
- The finished metal base is being prepared for ceramic coating.
- The actual process of applying ceramics with firing.
- The finished product is tried on in the patient's mouth and adjusted (if necessary).
- At the final stage, the bridge is fixed on the supporting teeth.
Production of high-quality metal-ceramic bridges on the front or chewing teeth is a combination of well-coordinated work not only of the dental technician, but also of the dentist himself. In this case, the task of the clinic specialist is reduced to the preparation of the oral cavity.patient and abutment teeth (they serve to securely fix the product) to prosthetics. Also, for this, it is necessary to take casts and choose the color of ceramics.
As for the duties of a dental technician, this is the manufacture of a structure based on the characteristics of the patient provided by the dentist, which will fully comply with them.
Feature of the installation of a metal-ceramic bridge prosthesis
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 disadvantage. After all, you have to process the living tissue of a he althy dental organ, since otherwise it will not work to fix the prosthesis!
The "surgery" to install a metal-ceramic bridge is performed using a high-speed machine and under the influence of anesthesia. In this case, it is necessary to observe the utmost accuracy - a certain amount of tissue should be removed, which should fully correspond to the thickness of the crown. In addition, the tooth should be given an optimal shape for attaching the bridge - ledges of a special kind are usually formed in its lower part. If there is any defect, it must be eliminated without fail. In some cases, it is necessary to install a pin into the tooth. As for the fastening itself, special cement is first applied to the supporting elements.
When patients feel uncomfortable, they should go to a dental clinic wherethe installation of metal-ceramic crowns of the bridge was carried out to determine its causes. Usually this can be associated with addiction, then just wait a bit, and the discomfort will pass on its own. Otherwise, the specialist will adjust the bridge.
Relevance of application
With the help of metal-ceramic prostheses of the bridge structure, it is possible to effectively correct a dental defect caused by the lack of several elements located in a row. However, due to the lack of some transparency, the crowns of the bridge are clearly visible against the background of 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, metal-ceramic bridges are also relevant in case of loss of 1-3 teeth in a row. And for reliable fixation, two supports or more 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.
Bridge or one crown?
A similar question is natural in the absence of one tooth in the upper or lower row. Should I put a bridge in this case, or can I get by with one metal-ceramic crown? There are a number of factors to consider here:
- Diagnosis - first of all, you should assess the condition of neighboring dental elements. In the absence of caries, fillings and other defects, the tooth is best left intact. After all, it is known what the supporting elements are exposed to.
- Consultationspecialist - dentistry is constantly improving, and from time to time new technologies appear, including methods of prosthetics. Modern solutions make it possible to install ceramic-metal bridges on abutment teeth without turning them. But only the attending physician will be able to determine this possibility.
- Alternatively, in the absence of only one tooth, an artificial root can be used.
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 within one dental clinic visit.
Metal-ceramic prostheses need significantly more time to manufacture - about two weeks. At the same time, it is necessary to periodically visit a specialist to try on the product.
Reviews
And what do patients themselves think about ceramic-metal prostheses? Those people who have already managed to test the installation of bridges made of this material on their own experience were satisfied with the result. Someone lost the front incisor, which forced them to resort to bridge prosthetics. And to say that the prospect of walking with a hole in your mouth is not inspiring is to say nothing!
Other patients were late with the treatment of chewing elements, and as a result they 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 chewingability.
In other words, most reviews of cermet bridges are positive. Again, thanks to the means of modern dentistry. And so far, at this point in time, cermet is considered the best solution of its kind. Perhaps, after a few years, there will be a worthy competitor to bridge-like prostheses, but so far there is a good solution to correct the loss of one or more teeth in a row.
